WALES

Departmental Publications

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what booklets have been produced for publication by the Wales Office since 1 January 2005; and what the  (a) print run,  (b) production cost,  (c) distribution costs and  (d) cover price was of each such booklet.

Peter Hain: Since January 2005 the Wales Office has published two booklets for public distribution. These were in addition to parliamentary papers.
	The first booklet from March 2007 was produced to mark the 200 year anniversary of the abolition of the Slave Trade Act and was entitled Slavery and Wales with a print run of 12,000 at a cost of £3,925. These booklets were sent to Welsh MPs, Lords with Welsh interests, Assembly members, all primary and secondary schools in Wales, all libraries in Wales, all National Trust sites in Wales, the Waterfront Museum, the Paul Robeson Trust and local history groups. There was no cover charge.
	The second booklet from May 2009 entitled Real Help for Wales Now provides a guide to the UK Government and Welsh Assembly Government initiatives available to help businesses and people through the recession. It had a print run of 2,000 at a cost of £3,444. These booklets were distributed to all Welsh MPs and Assembly members, all Welsh local authorities and Jobcentre Plus in Cardiff. Copies were also provided when meeting with businesses throughout Wales and to attendees at economic summits. Again there was no cover charge.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Departmental Dismissal

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Leader of the House how many members of staff in her office were dismissed  (a) for under-performance and  (b) in total in each of the last 10 years.

Chris Bryant: No members of staff have been dismissed from the office since June 2007.
	The office of the Leader of the House of Commons joined the Cabinet Office in 2007. Information from before this time can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland: Publications

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what publications Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland has made in the last five financial years; how much each publication cost; and to whom they were distributed.

Paul Goggins: This is an operational matter for Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland, which operates independently of Government. I would encourage the hon. Lady to write to Dr. Michael Maguire, the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland.

Community Safety Partnerships: County Down

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which organisations are represented on the North Down Community Safety Partnership; which organisations received funding from the partnership in each of the last three years; and how much each received.

Paul Goggins: Organisations represented on the North Down Community Safety Partnership membership are:
	North Down PSNI; Northern Ireland Housing Executive; Age Concern; North Down Community Network; Bangor and Holywood Town Centre Management; North Down Victim Support; Northern Ireland Probation Service; South Eastern Education and Library Board; Supporting Communities Northern Ireland; North Down District Policing Partnership; Bangor and Holywood Clergy Fellowship; South Eastern and Social Care Trust and Elected Representatives from North Down borough council (four UUP, four DUP, four Alliance and one Independent).
	Details of the organisations in North Down which have received funding from the Partnership over the last three years along with how much each received is set out in the following table.
	
		
			  £ 
			   Funding  
			  Organisation  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09  Total 
			 North Down Women's Aid 8,270 4,120 11,000 23,390 
			 North Down Community Network 23,391 13,250 16,886 53,527 
			 North Down Age Concern 6,200 12,700 21,125 40,025 
			 North Down PSNI 7,900 4,750 0 12,650 
			 Bangor and Holywood Town Centre Management 16,800 12,830 19,280 48,910 
			 Comber Drugs Awareness Programme 2,500 £2,500 0 £5,000 
			 Fountain Drug and Alcohol Programme 0 £26,000 0 £26,000 
			 Bangor and Holywood Clergy Fellowship 0 £7,000 £8,359 £15,359 
			 Bloomfield Community Association 0 1,490 0 1,490 
			 Breezemount Community Association 0 1,207 0 1,207 
			 Holywood Family Trust 0 980 0 980 
			 Whitehill Community Association 0 1,400 0 1,400 
			 Trinity Presbyterian Church 0 1,460 0 1,460 
			 Kings Fellowship 0 1,426 0 1,426 
			 Total 65,061 91,113 76,650 232,824

Crime: Wildlife

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps his Department is taking to raise awareness of criminal offences involving wildlife.

Paul Goggins: The creation of criminal offences and penalties is a reserved matter under the Northern Ireland Act 1998, and an Assembly Bill containing a reserved matter requires the consent of the Secretary of State. However, it is in practice for the relevant Northern Ireland Minister to decide how best to raise awareness of criminal offences within devolved policy areas such as wildlife. In the case of offences involving the protection of wildlife, this would fall to the Environment Minister.

Departmental Reviews

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many  (a) review and  (b) taskforce projects his Department has commissioned in each of the last five years; what the purpose of each such project is; when each such project (i) began and (ii) was completed; what the cost of each such project was; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: Summary information on taskforces and other standing bodies is available in the annual Cabinet Office publication, 'Public Bodies'. Copies of 'Public Bodies 2008' are available in the Libraries of the House. Detailed information on ad hoc advisory bodies is published in the annual Northern Ireland Office departmental report and also on the departmental website:
	www.nio.gov.uk
	Information about reviews commissioned since the Department's creation is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Security

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many breaches of security have been reported at  (a) the Compensation Agency,  (b) the Forensic Science Northern Ireland,  (c) the Northern Ireland Prison Service and  (d) the Youth Justice Agency in the last five years; and what procedures each agency follows when a breach of security involves the disclosure of personal data.

Shaun Woodward: In the period specified, there were five security breaches in the Northern Ireland Prison Service, three in the Forensic Science agency and one in the Youth Justice Agency. There were no reported security breaches in the Compensation Agency.
	When a breach of security involves the disclosure of personal data, the agencies follow the Northern Ireland Office incident response policy.

Departmental Stationery

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of office supplies purchased by his Department were recycled products in the latest period for which figures are available.

Paul Goggins: We do not keep a record of the proportion of office supplies purchased that are recycled products. Our stationery suppliers provide a range of products made from recycled materials some of which we purchase.

Economic and Monetary Union

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what activities have been undertaken by his Department's euro Minister in that capacity.

Paul Goggins: Euro Ministers are responsible for euro preparations in their Department and attend euro Ministers Steering Group meetings. Meetings are held only when necessary to discuss practical preparations to ensure a smooth changeover.

Industrial Health and Safety

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department spent on compliance with requirements of health and safety at work legislation in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: Expenditure to ensure compliance with health and safety at work legislation can include various costs, such as building related works and training for staff.
	Details of building works related to health and safety compliance are not recorded separately from general building works and therefore could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	My Department strives to ensure compliance with health and safety at work legislation through training and development of staff. Expenditure on health and safety training and development in each of the last five years is as follows:
	
		
			   £ 
			 2004-05 (1)— 
			 2005-06 8,170 
			 2006-07 6,000 
			 2007-08 6,000 
			 2008-09 (2)27,229 
			 (1) Staff costs only (training provided in-house). (2) Including the extension of a contract to enable health and safety e-learning training to be provided for all staff.

Mortgages

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate his Department has made of the number of home-owners in Northern Ireland who are in negative equity.

Paul Goggins: The Government do not hold this information. Such estimates may be available from commercial lenders or their representative bodies.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Free Theatre Initiative

Martin Linton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many tickets have been distributed under his Department's free theatre initiative.

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many tickets have been distributed under his Department's free theatre initiative.

Ben Bradshaw: A Night Less Ordinary, which offers free theatre tickets to young people under 26, was launched by Arts Council England in February.
	Data for the first quarter of the scheme are being collated and will be published by mid-July 2009.
	Early feedback from participating venues and young theatre goers, alongside the impressive number of website visitors suggests that the scheme has proved immensely popular so far.

Economic Recovery

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the potential contribution of the cultural sector towards economic recovery.

Barbara Follett: The cultural sector is already addressing the economic and social impacts of the recession and continues to contribute to recovery. The creative industries represent 6.4 per cent. of GVA and over the past decade have been growing faster than the economy as a whole. This comes at the end of a decade of record Government investment in culture.
	Last month we published "Lifting People, Lifting Places", outlining how Government can offer further support, by developing employment opportunities in culture and the creative industries, measures to transform town centres and other approaches to building the new economy with culture and creativity at its heart.

Digital Switchover

Alun Michael: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to ensure that understanding and usage of audio description by elderly people is promoted as part of digital switchover.

Ben Bradshaw: Audio description is referred to across Digital UK's communications campaign and on its website. It is also included in the information and materials distributed by Digital UK to a range of charities. Digital UK and the Switchover Help Scheme also work in partnership with the Royal National Institute for the Blind who run their own awareness campaigns.

Community Sport

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the effect of the recession on community sports clubs.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Romford (Andrew Rosindell).

Local Media

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the outcome was of his Department's recent summit on local media; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The local media summit on 28 April 2009 explored the issues and challenges facing local and regional news and media. This will be taken forward in the final Digital Britain report due to be published shortly.

Cricket

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many sports clubs in receipt of public funds field under-18 cricket teams to play competitive fixtures.

Gerry Sutcliffe: This information is not held by my Department. The England and Wales Cricket Board have been awarded £37.8 million to deliver their 2009-13 plan for the whole of cricket, the largest award made to any sport. Through the PE and School Sport Strategy for Young People we are also investing £25.5 million in a new network of competition managers, who will co-ordinate inter-school competition for a variety of sports, including cricket.

Community Arts: Coventry

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much funding his Department allocated to community arts programmes in Coventry in each of the last three years.

Barbara Follett: Arts Council England (ACE) invested £1,579,691 in regularly funded organisations in Coventry in 2006-07; £1,722,974 in 2007-08 and £1,823,059 in 2008-09. Many of these organisations are actively engaged in community arts and a proportion of their core funding supports this work. ACE also awarded grants for the arts awards of £5,000 in 2006-07; £14,218 in 2007-08 and £5,000 in 2008-09 to projects with a specific focus on, or element of, community arts.

UK Television Content

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with commercial broadcasters on their funding of original UK television content.

Ben Bradshaw: My predecessor my right hon. Friend the Member for Leigh (Andy Burnham) had regular discussions with all the commercial broadcasters to discuss a wide range of issues, including their funding of original UK television content.

Tourism

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the effects of the recession on the tourist industry; and if he will make a statement.

Barbara Follett: The position is mixed. While spend in some areas appears to be down, other parts of the domestic tourism industry have received a boost from favourable currency exchange rates. There are still significant opportunities opening up from which the industry will benefit. These include the unprecedented decade of world class sporting events on which we are embarking, and in particular the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games.
	It is clear however that these remain challenging times for the industry.

Horserace Betting Levy Board

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made on the appointment of a new chairman of the Horserace Betting Levy Board; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The chair position was first advertised in March 2009. We received fewer applications than we would normally expect for such a role and we therefore re-advertised the position, with a closing date of 19 June. Recruitment consultants have been engaged to help us make the most of this additional time. The new applications attracted, together with those received earlier, will be assessed on an equal basis against the original selection criteria.

Play: Finance

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much funding each of the 89 local authorities awarded funding under the National Play Strategy in December 2008 has received.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: I have been asked to reply.
	63 local authorities began receiving play funding from April 2008. This was the first wave of the children's plan play capital investment programme. The National Play Strategy, which was published in December 2008, announced that Government would be accelerating the capital programme so that all of the remaining 89 top tier local authorities in England would receive funding from April 2009 as wave 2 of the investment programme. This means that all 152 local authorities will be receiving play capital, and associated revenue, funding during the 2009-10 financial year.
	The conditions of grant letter, issued in February 2009, outlined that local authorities would receive their capital and revenue allocations in two equal payments during 2009-10. By the end of May, local authorities received the first payment of this financial year. Tables which show the allocations for each local authority to the end of the current financial year have been placed in the House Libraries.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Climate Change

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of his Department's potential gross  (a) costs and  (b) savings arising from its climate change adaptation measures in the next three years.

Gillian Merron: It is not currently possible to provide estimates of the potential costs and savings over the next three years. The Government are undertaking a climate change risk assessment and economic analysis, which will provide estimates of the costs and benefits of adaptation to the UK. This analysis will be presented to Parliament within three years of the Climate Change Act 2008 coming in to force.

Departmental Cost Effectiveness

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to page 61, paragraph 15.6 of the 2009 Value for Money Update, which activities  (a) in the UK and  (b) overseas have been designated as lower priority activities; and what estimate his Department has made of the savings to be made in respect of each such activity by 2010-11.

David Miliband: A full breakdown of all allocative efficiencies (the reassignment of resources from lower to higher priority areas) achieved for 2008-09 and forecasts for 2009-10 and 2010-11 are scheduled to be published in our 2009 departmental report next month. The report will be available in hard copy and on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website. A copy of the report will be placed in the Library of the House.

Departmental Data Protection

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many notifications his Department made to the Information Commissioner in the year ended 30 April 2009 in respect of the loss or mishandling of personal information or data; what was notified in each such case; and how many individuals were the subjects of personal information or data in respect of which such notifications were made.

Gillian Merron: In 2008-09, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office reported no losses of personal data to the Information Commissioner.

EU Institutions: Manpower

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has made a projection of trends in the proportion of the staff of European Union institutions made up of UK nationals over the next  (a) 10 and  (b) 20 years.

David Miliband: There have been no specific projections made. The Government are clear that it is in the EU and UK's interests to be fully represented and to have UK officials working at the heart of the EU's institutions.

EU Relations

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with  (a) the European Commission and  (b) his counterparts from other EU member states on the EU's (i) policies and (ii) strategies for promoting democracy.

Caroline Flint: For the EU, democracy is both a core value and an essential aspect of internal and external policies. There is growing agreement among EU member states on the need to develop an EU consensus on democracy that sets out the EU vision. The aim of the consensus would be to implement existing EU policies on democracy more effectively, focusing on consistency, coherence and co-ordination in the use of the instruments available to the EU. It would bring about change in as much as EU activities will be designed and implemented in ways that support democratic processes and strengthen democratic principles. The consensus would also clarify the EU's position and make it more visible so that not only third countries, but also EU citizens, know what we mean when we talk about democracy and the principles and values that sustain it.
	The UK is working with the Czech presidency of the EU along with other EU member states, the Council Secretariat and the Commission to draw up this coherent EU approach. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has played an active role in the EU working group and will support the upcoming Swedish presidency in working towards Council Conclusions in November 2009 with the aim of developing an EU consensus.

European Union

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what dates he had  (a) discussions and  (b) meetings with the European Union Special Representative for Afghanistan on the situation in that country in the last 12 months.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 12 May 2009
	My noble Friend, the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, Lord Malloch-Brown, met with the EU Special Representative (EUSR), Ettore Sequi, on 25 November 2008 during his visit to the UK. Senior officials, including representatives from both our embassy in Kabul and the UK's Permanent Representation to the EU (UKRep) regularly meet with the EUSR to discuss Afghanistan. Most recently, our ambassador to the Political and Security Committee, Tim Barrow, met the EUSR on 8 May 2009.

Hezbollah

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the Government's decision to explore contacts with the political wing of Hezbollah on Hezbollah's  (a) actions,  (b) policies and  (c) structure.

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of his Department's performance in encouraging Hezbollah to renounce violence and play a constructive, democratic and peaceful role in Lebanon and the wider region.

Bill Rammell: On 9 January 2009 our ambassador in Beirut attended a meeting of British parliamentarians with the Lebanese Foreign Affairs Committee. Representatives of all members of the National Unity Government were present, including one MP from Hezbollah's political wing, Ali Amar. During this meeting the ambassador urged all sides to show restraint during the crisis in Gaza, and the importance of all sides respecting the terms of UN Security Council resolution 1701. In the course of normal diplomatic business, staff at our embassy in Beirut have also met Hezbollah politicians on a number of occasions. However, there have been no official meetings since 9 January.
	We continue to believe that occasional and carefully considered contacts with Hezbollah's politicians, including its MPs, will best advance our objective of urging Hezbollah to reject violence and play a constructive, democratic and peaceful role in Lebanese politics, in line with UN Security Council resolutions.

India: Prisoners

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations his Department has received regarding the detention by the Indian authorities of Dr. Binayak Sen; and what steps he has taken as a result.

Bill Rammell: In 2009 we have received six letters from members of the public and one parliamentary question regarding the detention of Dr. Binayak Sen by the Indian authorities.
	Working with EU colleagues in India, we have registered our concern with the central Government, writing to the Ministry of External Affairs, the National Human Rights Commission and a number of senior political leaders about the case.
	Dr. Sen was granted bail on 25 May 2009. The EU has sent observers to the various stages of his judicial hearings so far and plans to attend the next trial session expected to be held in June 2009.
	The rights of human rights defenders including Dr. Sen, were discussed at the EU-India Human Rights Dialogue held on 27 February 2009. Our high commission in New Delhi and EU colleagues will continue to monitor this case in cooperation with non-governmental organisations in accordance with EU guidance for the protection of human rights defenders.

Kosovo: Foreign Relations

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made on establishing diplomatic relations with the Republic of Kosovo; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The UK established its embassy in Pristina on 18 February 2008, the day after the Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Kosovo. The current British ambassador to Kosovo is Mr. Andrew Sparkes CMG.
	Kosovo's Chargé d'Affaires to the UK was appointed on 20 October 2008. The embassy of the Republic of Kosovo in London was officially opened on 2 March 2009.

North Korea: Nuclear Power

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on whether the plutonium production reactor at Yongbyon in North Korea was based on the published blueprints of the first generation Magnox reactors developed by the UK Atomic Energy Authority; what recent discussions he has had with the International Atomic Energy Agency on that reactor; and what representations he has made to the government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on its announcement on the testing of a nuclear device.

Bill Rammell: We do not know whether the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has drawn on plans of British reactors in the production of its own reactors. The reactor at Yongbyon, while much smaller, has generic similarities to certain UK Magnox reactors, design information for which has been in the public domain for over 30 years.
	The International Atomic Energy Authority provides regular reports to its board of governors, of which we are a member, on its activities in the DPRK. In addition to public statements from my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary, I expressed the Government's strong condemnation of the nuclear test to the DPRK ambassador to London on 25 May 2009 and again on 1 June 2009. Our ambassador in Pyongyang made representations in DPRK to the Director Europe at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 2 June 2009 to reiterate our concerns. We are working with partners at the UN Security Council to deliver a strong response to the test.

Nuclear Weapons

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made at the UN Conference on Disarmament on the negotiation of a treaty prohibiting the production of fissionable materials for nuclear weapons.

Bill Rammell: The UN Conference on Disarmament formally adopted a Programme of Work (CD/1863) on 29 May 2009 which includes negotiations on a fissile material cut-off treaty (FMCT) based on the 1995 Shannon mandate.
	We welcome this decision. Opening negotiations on an FMCT has long been a UK objective.

Pakistan: Religious Freedom

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received in the case of Qamar David, on trial in Karachi on blasphemy charges; what representations he has made to the government of Pakistan on the case; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: Officials at our high commission in Islamabad are monitoring Mr. David's case. The next court hearing is scheduled for 16 June 2009. While legal proceedings are in progress, we are unable to intervene. As such we have not specifically raised Mr. David's case with the Government of Pakistan.
	Bilaterally and with our EU partners we have raised the frequent abuse of Pakistan's blasphemy legislation and have called for reform or repeal of these discriminatory laws.

Republic of Ireland: Treaty of Lisbon

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the EU has spent on providing information in Ireland on the treaty of Lisbon; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: I am not aware of how much the EU has spent on providing information in Ireland specifically on the treaty of Lisbon. I understand that the European Commission will provide €1.8 million for 2009 and 2010 to improve the provision of public information on the EU in Ireland. Similar arrangements exist in other EU member states. Communications activities will cover a large variety of European policy areas. For 2009, the priorities are the European Parliament elections, energy and climate change, 20th anniversary of the democratic changes in Central and Eastern Europe and Europe's response to the financial crisis and economic slowdown.
	Further information can be found on the European Commission's website at:
	http://ec.europa.eu/ireland/press_office/news_of_the_day/public-info-contr_en.htm

Tibet: Politics and Government

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department next plans to assess the  (a) political and  (b) human rights situation in Tibet.

Bill Rammell: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office makes regular assessments of the political and human rights situation in Tibet.
	Staff from our embassy in Beijing were most recently able to visit Tibet in May this year. There they were able to assess the situation of the Tibetan people, and found that many monasteries were able to carry out daily religious rites without obvious interference, though there was clear evidence of continued government restrictions in matters such as the numbers of monks and reverence of the Dalai Lama. In general security force presence had returned to similar levels as before the riots in March 2008. The exception was in the old town of Lhasa where there had been a visible increase. Embassy representatives heard that in future access to Tibet for foreigners, including tourists and official visitors would continue to ease. I intend to pursue our concerns in further detail during my own visit to Tibet later next month.

OLYMPICS

Shooting Venue

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what recent representations she has received on the shooting venue for the London 2012 Olympics.

Tessa Jowell: I have received around 140 representations since the Olympic Board confirmed Woolwich as the shooting venue in March, including from the hon. Member and 116 other MPs on behalf of their constituents, Southern Counties Shooting Limited and other members of the public.

Environmental Sustainability

Linda Gilroy: To ask the Minister for the Olympics if she will make it her policy to ensure that the London 2012 Olympics are environmentally sustainable.

Tessa Jowell: Sustainability was at the heart of our bid to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and remains so—we are fully committed to ensuring both the Olympic and Paralympic Games are the most sustainable of modern times.
	The Games in London will set new standards of sustainable development, with the Olympic Park and venues being designed and built according to sustainable principles.
	At the sailing venue in Weymouth and Portland for example, 15-20 per cent. of its electricity is generated by on-site solar panels, all captured rain water is being recycled, and sustainable transport networks are being installed to and from the venue, from cycling and walking paths, to park and ride schemes.

Sporting and Cultural Activities

Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what recent discussions she has had with representatives of local authorities on their involvement in sporting and cultural activities which embody the spirit of the London 2012 Olympics.

Tessa Jowell: I meet regularly with local authorities in my visits around the country and there are regular discussions between my officials and local authorities on a wide range of Games related issues.
	The London 2012 Open Weekend will be held across the UK between 24-26 July 2009.1 encourage local authorities, sports, arts, and cultural organisations to register their projects as part of the London 2012 Inspire programme and to showcase their work at Open Weekend.
	Already over 90 Cultural Olympiad projects are included as part of the Inspire programme.

Paralympics

Eric Joyce: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what criteria will be used to judge the success of the London 2012 Paralympics.

Tessa Jowell: The Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in London 2012 will set new standards in accessibility for venues, accommodation and transport, providing a greater athlete, official and spectator experience.
	For the first time the Paralympic Games is fully integrated into the organising committee's plans. We are committed to delivering full arenas, accessible infrastructure, and of course more British medals.

Apprenticeships

Joan Ryan: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what estimate she has made of the number of apprenticeships that will be available on sites being developed to host the London 2012 Olympics.

Tessa Jowell: In January this year, the ODA announced that an additional 250 apprenticeships would be created on the Olympic Park and Village, bringing the total number to 350. To achieve this, the ODA will mandate that apprentices make up 3 per cent. of project work forces for the remaining £500 million worth of contracts. This exceeds the industry average for London and the south-east.
	This increases the ODA's overall target for trainees, apprentices and work placements to 2,250.

DEFENCE

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel taking rest and recuperation from Operation Herrick in Afghanistan have been delayed for more than 24 hours awaiting their return flight to Afghanistan from Brize Norton since 1 January 2009; and if he will make a statement.

Quentin Davies: holding answer 3 March 2009
	We record information relating to flight delays, but we do not centrally hold information on why individual travellers are delayed or the purpose of their travel. Therefore, this information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilians have been killed by enhanced blast munitions in Afghanistan since 2007.

Bob Ainsworth: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my predecessor gave on 27 October 2008,  Official Report, columns 622-63W, to the right hon. and learned Member for Devizes (Mr. Ancram).

Apprentices

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answers of 11 February 2009,  Official Report, column 1993W and 24 February 2009  Official Report, column 741W, on apprentices, for what reasons the number of apprenticeships in his Department declined from 2007-08 to 2008-09.

Kevan Jones: In the 2007-08 reporting period, the Department delivered 8,758 armed forces and civil service apprentice completions. The apprenticeships detailed in my written answer on 24 February 2009,  Official Report, column 741W, refers to a specific pilot scheme for civil servants and not the entire departmental number of apprentice completions. The Department will collate the details of armed forces and civil service apprentice completions during 2008-09 in August 2009. At this stage, we can not compare figures from both 2007-08 and 2008-09.

Armed Forces: Foreigners

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what percentage of personnel in each regiment of the Army were Commonwealth soldiers at the latest date for which figures are available.

Kevan Jones: Personnel data by regiment are not held in the format requested. However, the following Army figures provided are available.
	
		
			  Training Regular Army Commonwealth Officers and Soldiers as at 1 April 2009 
			  Army/ Service  Number( 1)  of personnel with a Commonwealth nationality  Percentage of personnel with a Commonwealth nationality 
			 Total 6,380 6.8 
			 Staff 0 0 
			 HCAV/RAC 250 4.5 
			 RA 635 8.8 
			 RE 375 4.2 
			 R SIGNALS 180 2.3 
			 INF 1,725 7.4 
			 AAC 100 4.8 
			 RAChD * * 
			 RLC 1,995 13.5 
			 RAMC 230 78 
			 REME 340 3.6 
			 AGC (RMP) 20 1.2 
			 AGC (SPS) 335 9.6 
			 AGC (MPS) * * 
			 AGC(ETS) 5 2.0 
			 AGC(ALS) * * 
			 AGC (Unknown) 5 12.8 
			 RAVC 5 2.4 
			 SASC 0 0 
			 RADC 55 14.4 
			 INT CORPS * * 
			 APTC * * 
			 QARANC 95 11.7 
			 CAMus 10 1.5 
			 GSC 0 0 
			 LSL * * 
			 No Value 0 0 
			 (1) denotes provisional. Due to the ongoing validation of data on the Joint Personnel Administration System all Army data from 1 April 2007 are provisional and subject to review.  Notes: 1. Percentages have been calculated using a denominator that includes all trained regular strength with a known nationality. It therefore excludes FTRS and Gurkhas but includes those individuals who have transferred from GURTAM to UKTAP. 2. Totals have been rounded to the nearest 10 for presentation purposes. 3. Data have been rounded to the nearest 5 to limit disclosure and ensure confidentiality 4. Data less than 5 have been suppressed and replaced with '*'. 5. Totals have been rounded separately and so may not appear to be the sum of their parts.

Defence: Finance

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the estimate in the 2006 Defence White Paper that running costs of the proposed future deterrent would represent 5 to 6 per cent. of the defence budget included the costs of  (a) conventional forces supporting the deterrent and  (b) decommissioning replacement submarines.

Bob Ainsworth: The estimate of the running costs contained within the White Paper does not include an allocation for those occasions when conventional forces are used to support the deterrent but does include the initial decommissioning costs for the replacement submarines.

Departmental Pay

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what expenditure his Department has incurred in administering its bonus scheme for staff in each financial year since 2005-06.

Bob Ainsworth: The performance award arrangements for staff in the Ministry of Defence are part of the continuous performance management process between managers and staff throughout the year. Although the culmination of the performance management process may result in a performance payment being made, the expenditure on the various constituents of the process which contribute towards the final payment of the award could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Ex-servicemen: Mental Health

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 1 April 2009,  Official Report, columns 1277-78W, on ex-servicemen: mental health, what support his Department has provided for the community mental health pilot projects for veterans; and if he will make a statement.

Kevan Jones: It has been the policy of successive Governments that the NHS should be the main provider of treatment for veterans. The NHS is therefore taking the lead for the six Community Mental Health pilots; the MOD has provided the start up costs for the six pilot sites and will meet the costs of the evaluation, £0.5 million. Veterans are also designated as a Special Interest Group (SIG) in the Department of Health's £173 million Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) Programme. In addition, to assist those veterans not in the catchment areas of one of the pilots, we have expanded our Medical Assessment Programme (MAP) based at St. Thomas' hospital, London, to include assessment of veterans with mental health symptoms with operational service since 1982.

Ex-servicemen: Vocational Guidance

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent on the Careers Transition Partnership scheme in each year since 1998.

Kevan Jones: I will write to the hon. member.
	 Substantive answer from Kevan Jones to Dr. Fox:
	I undertook to write to you with an answer to your Parliamentary Question on 14 May 2009,  Official Report, column 948W. I am now able to provide a breakdown of spend per financial year on the Career Transition Partnership Scheme. The Career Transition Partnership (CTP) is a partnership between the Ministry of Defence and Right Management Consultants. As you may be aware, the inception of the CTP contract was in October 1998, which is why the spend figure for financial year 1998-99 is lower than subsequent years.
	The figure for spend in each financial year is shown in the table below, these figures exclude VAT.
	
		
			  Financial year  Spend( 1)  (£ million) 
			 1998-99 2.1 
			 1999-2000 5.7 
			 2000-01 6.2 
			 2001-02 6.4 
			 2002-03 6.3 
			 2003-04 6.5 
			 2004-05 7.1 
			 2005-06 8.2 
			 2006-07 8.9 
			 2007-08 9.0 
			 2008-09 8.2 
			 (1)Rounded to nearest £100,000.

Fremington Army Camp

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Fremington Army Camp in  (a) preparing service personnel for operations and  (b) provision of cadet training;
	(2)  if he will estimate the disposal value of the site of Fremington Army Camp  (a) with and  (b) without the enhanced access route necessary for planning permission for the site's development.

Kevan Jones: Fremington Camp, built in 1943, provides classrooms, accommodation and associated facilities for personnel conducting operational driver crew training at Braunton Burrows. The Cadets and University Officer Training Corps also use Fremington Camp between June and August.
	It was confirmed last month that as the camp has reached the end of its economic life, its usage will be run down in line with its planned closure in March 2010.
	Although a market valuation has been carried out for internal decision making purposes, it is not our policy to release such valuations as to do so could influence the market, and thus potentially disadvantage the taxpayer in the event of a disposal.

Kenley Airfield

Richard Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost of  (a) purchasing and  (b) installing the interim fencing at Kenley airfield is.

Kevan Jones: The cost of purchasing and delivering the pedestrian safety barriers to Kenley airfield was £11,250 excluding VAT. The labour costs associated with installation were £425 excluding VAT. RAF personnel also assisted with installation.

Maritime Airborne Surveillance System Programme

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to take the main gate decision for the Maritime Airborne Surveillance system; and what estimate he has made of the cost of implementing the system.

Quentin Davies: We expect to make our main investment decision next year, at which point costs will be known.

Met Office: Floods

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress his Department has made in implementing the recommendations contained in the Pitt report on flooding regarding the Met Office's forecasting and flood prediction methodology; what research he has commissioned to support such implementation; and when he expects such research to be completed.

Kevan Jones: Noting the key role it plays in flood risk management, the Met Office is committed to improving its forecasting capability to meet the needs of emergency responders. Following a major investment in supercomputing it is already exploiting a new, highly detailed, forecast model that provides significantly improved support for the issue of flood related warnings. Building on this capability, in line with recommendation 3 of the Pitt review, the Met Office has developed a detailed research plan and started work which will further enhance its ability to forecast local-scale heavy rainfall events and further increase the amount of warning it is able to give to responders for such events. This research programme is due to be completed by summer 2012 in line with the timetable outlined by the Government in response to the Pitt review, although some benefits will be realised before this.

Military Vehicles: Procurement

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the new  (a) 4x4 Supacat Jackal 2 patrol vehicles and  (b) 6x6 Coyote tactical support variant vehicles to be delivered to the Army.

Quentin Davies: It is anticipated that deliveries to Afghanistan of both Jackal 2 and Coyote will commence in July 2009.

Motor Vehicles

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what expenditure his Department incurred on  (a) leasing and  (b) maintaining white fleet vehicles in the latest period for which figures are available; for what purposes his Department leases such vehicles; how many (i) civilians and (ii) service personnel have used his Department's white fleet vehicles in the latest period for which figures are available; and for what purposes in each case.

Quentin Davies: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has two lease agreements in place for the provision of the majority of non-operational cars, i.e. white fleet vehicles. During FY 2008-09 the provision of leased vehicles under the UK and British Forces Germany white fleet contracts cost the Department approximately £82 million. It is not possible to separate the cost of maintaining the leased vehicles because the daily rate charge for vehicle provision includes the cost to the contractor of procuring the vehicles, routine servicing and maintenance, the provision of a recovery service, eventual disposal of the vehicle, and administrative overheads incurred by the service provider.
	White fleet vehicles are leased for use in non-deployable administrative and support roles and transporting personnel and equipment. All MOD personnel, both military and civilian, are eligible to use white fleet vehicles on authorised duty journeys. The control and management of these vehicles is undertaken at unit level. This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Navy

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which principal Royal Navy ships are currently deployed with at least one helicopter on board.

Bob Ainsworth: HM Ships Ocean, Illustrious, Manchester, Cornwall, Cumberland, Portland, Somerset, Northumberland, Richmond, Westminster, Kent, and St. Albans are currently deployed with one or more helicopters.

Navy

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons classified documents relating to Royal Navy submarines were erroneously delivered to a metal armaments company in Swadlincote; and if he will make a statement.

Kevan Jones: The documents in question were not MOD property; they belonged to a defence engineering supplier who had arranged for them to be taken to the TNT archive facility in Swadlincote.
	The circumstances and the content of the boxes have, however, been examined by Defence Equipment and Support security staff who are satisfied that none of the documents were classified above restricted and did not represent a security risk. I have been reassured that the company have put improved processes in place to prevent a recurrence.

Navy: Deployment

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether it is his Department's policy to keep Royal Navy warships at sea for longer periods when required operationally by allocating two crews to each vessel.

Quentin Davies: It is not the Department's policy to keep Royal Navy warships at sea for longer periods when required operationally by routinely allocating two crews to each vessel. The Royal Navy has traditionally employed different manning solutions on different platforms, depending on operational and personnel needs. Recent trials of more naval approaches have shown no advantage over this traditional, mixed approach.

RAF St. Athan

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when construction work on the St. Athan military academy is expected to start.

Quentin Davies: Construction at the St. Athan site will begin shortly after Contract Signature for the Defence Training College, which is anticipated to be signed in the summer of 2010.

Reserve Forces: Manpower

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what timetable has been set for reaching the target personnel establishment for the  (a) Territorial Army and  (b) reserve forces.

Kevan Jones: There is no fixed timetable set for reaching the target personnel establishment. However, it will be achieved as soon as possible, subject to normal recruiting and resource constraints, which is anticipated to take a number of years.

Submarines

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether each of the boats in the Astute submarine programme are on target to enter service on their scheduled dates.

Quentin Davies: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 22 January 2009,  Official Report, column 1667W. The Astute programme is currently being re-baselined and I will make an announcement in due course.

Trident

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ensure that Initial Gate decisions on the Trident replacement programme are not announced during the 2009 summer adjournment.

Bob Ainsworth: It is not normal for Parliament to be involved in Initial Gate decisions for procurement projects. I do however propose to update Parliament on progress following the Initial Gate decision.
	The main investment decision point, and the point at which we would issue the main contracts to industry for the construction of the new submarines, is still several years away.

Trident

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will re-evaluate his Department's recommendation for an upgraded Trident missile programme.

Bob Ainsworth: No. On 14 March 2007 the House of Commons voted by a significant margin to accept the recommendations set out in the December 2006 White Paper "The UK's Future Nuclear Deterrent". There has been no substantive change in international security since then that would suggest that a further vote is required.

Weapons

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what  (a) weapons and  (b) rounds of ammunition for which (i) his Department has and (ii) the armed forces have responsibility have gone missing in the last 12 months; and what the cost was of the loss of such weapons and ammunition.

Quentin Davies: During the last 12 months the following losses were reported, all of which relate to the armed forces:
	
		
			   Number 
			 Pistols 5 
			 Rifles 6 
			 Sub Machine Guns 1 
			 Machine Guns 3 
		
	
	The approximate total value of these weapons was £22,000. No reliable figures are available with regard to ammunition losses.

TRANSPORT

A1: Gateshead

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is planning to take to reduce traffic delays on the A1 Western Bypass in Gateshead; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark: The Department for Transport and the Highways Agency are continuing work on options to address traffic pressures on the A1 Western Bypass in Gateshead, including consideration of major improvements and possible "quick wins". In taking this work forward the Highways Agency is also liaising with officers from both Gateshead and Newcastle councils, mindful of possible complementary measures that may be introduced following Tyne and Wear region's earlier 'People in Motion' study.
	In addition a number of smaller scale operational improvements are planned including improvements to signalisation, road markings, signing, slip roads, safety barriers and driver information.

Channel Tunnel Intergovernmental Commission

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what agenda items were discussed at the most recent meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission; and on what dates the Commission has met in the last 12 months.

Paul Clark: At the last meeting of the Channel Tunnel Intergovernmental Commission on 27 May, the items discussed were:
	Security and border control issues
	Safety: Channel Tunnel Safety Authority (CTSA) Report
	Eurotunnel formal submissions
	European issues
	Questions to raise with Eurotunnel
	The Channel Tunnel Intergovernmental Commission met six times in the last 12 months on the following dates:
	24 July 2008
	24 September 2008
	26 November 2008
	26 January 2009
	26 March 2009
	27 May 2009.

Channel Tunnel Railway Line: Fares

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will seek to secure from the Intergovernmental Commission a reduction in charges levied for train traffic through the Channel Tunnel.

Paul Clark: The Intergovernmental Commission does not set charges for train traffic through the Channel Tunnel. These are set in the Rail Usage Contract and the Network Statement, which is a matter for Eurotunnel.

Driving Offences: Convictions

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many convictions of drivers who failed to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency of their unfitness to drive on medical grounds there have been in each of the last five years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: It is for the police and the Crown Prosecution Service to pursue a prosecution where a driver fails to notify Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) of a medical condition that affects their ability to drive safely. DVLA is not aware of any convictions for failure to notify a medical condition in the last five years.

Driving Tests: Motorcycles

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent estimate he has made of the average forward booking time for module  (a) 1 and  (b) 2 of the new motorcycle test.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The latest forward booking times, in weeks, for the practical motorcycling test (modules 1 and 2) are:
	
		
			  Forward booking date at:  Module one  Module two 
			 4 May 2009 2 2 
			 11 May 2009 3 3 
			 18 May 2009 4 3 
			 25 May 2009 3 2 
			 1 June 2009 3 2 
			 Average 3 2.4

Driving Tests: Motorcycles

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent estimate he has made of the percentage of applicants for motorcycle tests who reside within  (a) 20 miles and  (b) 45 minutes travel time of a multi-purpose test centre.

Jim Fitzpatrick: We estimate that 88 per cent. and 97 per cent. of the population are within 20 miles or 45 minutes of a centre delivering module 1 and 2 tests respectively.

Driving Tests: Motorcycles

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the reasons are for the difference between the percentage increase in fees for driving tests for motorcycles and driving tests for cars in the period between September 2008 and October 2009.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Between September 2008 and October 2009, the fee increase percentage for a practical car test was 9.7 per cent. (£56.50 to £62); the increase for the on-road element of the motorcycle test was 25 per cent. (£60 to £75).
	The main reason for the difference in increase was that the Driving Standards Agency implemented fee increases for its main activities, including practical car tests, in April 2008. Owing to the expectation of the changes being made to the practical motorcycle test later in that year, the fee increase for that test was delayed until the end of September 2008.
	A more appropriate comparison is therefore to compare fee levels in March 2008 and October 2009, which include two general fee increases for both activities. This shows an increase in car test fees of 28 per cent. (£48.50 to £62) compared to an increase of 25 per cent. (£60 to £75) for the comparable element of the motorcycle test.

Driving Tests: Motorcycles

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the merits of using or adapting existing testing facilities to deliver both modules of the new motorcycle test until additional multi-purpose test centres are available.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Utilising existing testing facilities was considered as part of the Driving. Standards Agency's development of options for implementing the new motorcycling test.
	The more demanding manoeuvres required and assessed in module 1 need to be conducted off the public highway for road safety purposes. None of the existing test centres had the necessary facilities to offer off-road manoeuvring areas.
	Where suitable existing test centres are available they are used to deliver module 2 of the new practical motorcycle test which is delivered on public roads.

Fisheries

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has commissioned on loading guidance for small fishing vessels in the last four years; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has commissioned three pieces of research on fishing vessels in the last four years. These are:
	Suitability of stability criteria applied to small fishing vessels and associated survivability
	Loading guidance for fishing vessels less than 12 m registered length phase II
	Simplified presentation of fv stability information for vessels 12 m registered length and over phase II.
	These reports are available on the MCA's website:
	www.mcga.gov.uk
	under the news and publications—research menu item.

Lorries

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many heavy goods-vehicle drivers with  (a) UK and  (b) non-UK driving licences drove heavy goods vehicles on UK roads in the latest period for which figures are available.

Jim Fitzpatrick: This information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Motor Vehicles

Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many cars were registered to owners resident in each English county in each of the last five years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: holding answer 4 June 2009
	Tables providing the requested information as at 31 December 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Railways: Floods

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps have been taken by his Department to ensure adequate emergency welfare support is available to passengers stranded on the rail network in the event of flooding.

Paul Clark: The review into the 2007 floods conducted by Sir Michael Pitt provided a recommended action for the rail industry to develop plans to provide emergency welfare support to passengers stranded on the rail network. As a result, the Department for Transport has worked with Network Rail to review the current practice in relation to the recommendation.
	This practice allows for passengers caught on the network to be given food, drink and any necessary items where conditions require. It does, however, remain the priority of Network Rail to remove passengers from trains, stations and other related areas as soon as it is safe to do so.

Roads: Salisbury

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent progress has been made on upgrading the rail track and bridges on the Southampton diversionary container route via Salisbury.

Paul Clark: Network Rail's Control Period 4 Delivery Plan published on 31 March 2009 indicates that work is due to commence in late 2010, for completion in early 2014.

South West Trains

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of the franchise agreement with South West Trains.

Paul Clark: A copy of the franchise agreement with South West Trains has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Travel Concessions (Eligible Services) (Amendment) Order 2009

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with local authorities on the provisions of the Travel Concessions (Eligible Services) (Amendment) Order 2009.

Paul Clark: Local authorities have been involved throughout the policy development. They are represented on both the Concessionary Travel Working Group (CFWG), which requested that the Department revisited the existing order, and the sub-group which was established to examine the issue in detail and develop proposals for change.
	There was a public consultation on the proposals, to which 66 local authorities responded with the clear majority in favour of the proposals. Both the CFWG and the sub-group also had the opportunity to comment on the draft order before it was laid before Parliament.

Wolverton Station: Repairs and Maintenance

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects work on the planned upgrade of Wolverton railway station to begin; and what the reasons are for the change in the timetable set for that project.

Paul Clark: This project is being funded and delivered by Milton Keynes council. The hon. Member should contact the group manager—transport development at the following address for a response to his questions.
	Milton Keynes council
	Civic Offices
	1 Saxon Gate East
	Central Milton Keynes
	MK9 3EJ

HOME DEPARTMENT

Alcoholic Drinks: Crime

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in each police force area in Wales aged  (a) under 18 years and  (b) between 18 and 24 years have been (i) cautioned and (ii) prosecuted for alcohol related behaviour in each of the last five years.

Alan Campbell: The number of persons cautioned for alcohol related behaviour offences in Wales, by police force area and age group, 2003 to 2007 (latest available) can be viewed in table 1. The cautions statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been cautioned for two or more offences at the same time the principal offence is the more serious offence.
	The number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts for alcohol related behaviour offences in Wales, by police force area and age group, 2003 to 2007 (latest available) can be viewed in table 2.
	The statistics in table 2 relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offence for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.
	A Penalty Notice for Disorder (PND) may also be issued by the police for certain alcohol related offences such as being drunk and disorderly and drunk in a highway. The number of persons issued with a PND for alcohol related behaviour offences in Wales, by police force area and age group, 2004 to 2007 (latest available) are given in table 3. The PND Scheme was implemented in all 43 police force areas in England and Wales in 2004.
	Data for 2008 will be available in the autumn of 2009.
	
		
			  Table 1: The number of persons cautioned for alcohol related behaviour offences( 1)  in Wales, by police force area and age group, 2003 to 2007( 2,3,4) 
			  Police force area  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			   Age 10-17  Age 18-24  Age 10-17  Age 18-24  Age 10-17  Age 18-24  Age 10-17  Age 18-24  Age 10-17  Age 18-24 
			 Dyfed-Powys 24 47 34 45 30 35 27 38 29 36 
			 Gwent 37 78 7 11 42 50 76 87 75 146 
			 North Wales 78 63 61 52 61 25 44 14 24 19 
			 South Wales 51 151 99 198 92 152 39 46 16 22 
			 Total 190 339 201 306 225 262 186 185 144 223 
			 (1) Includes offences under the: Licensing Act 1872 s.12; Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc) Act 1985 ss.1(2)(3)(4) and 1A(2)(3)(4), 2(1)(2), 5B(2)(3), 5C(3)(4), 5D(2)(3), 6(2); Confiscation of Alcohol (Young Persons) Act 1997 s. 1; Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 ss.12, 17, 25(3)(a)(b), 25(4)(5), 32; Criminal Justice Act 1967 s.91; Licensing Act 1964 ss. 5C(5), 6, 6, 19, 28(3), 34, 36, 39(1)(2)(3)(4), 45, 48, 51(4), 53, 59(1)(a)(b), 71(4), 72, 84, 85(2), 89, 155(1)(a), 157(1)(a)(b), 157(1)(b), 159, 160,(1 )(a)(b), 161(1)(2), 162, 163, 164(1)(2), 165, 166(1)(a)(b), 167, 168A, 168(1)(2), 169A, 169B, 169C(1)(2)(3), 169E(1), 169F, 169G, 170, 171A(1), 172, 172A, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179A(6), 179B(5)(6), 179E(8), 179H(2), 181A(1)(2)(3), 183(1)(2)(3), 184, 185, 186, 187(3)(4), 188, 193(7) Sch.8 Appendix C s. 6, Appendix D; Licensing (Young Persons) Act 2000 s.1; Licensing Act 2003 ss. 33, 40, 41, 46, 49, 56, 57, 59, 82, 83, 93, 94, 96, 108, 109, 123, 127, 128, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 147A, 148, 149(1)(3)(4)(7(a)(b), 150(1)(2), 151, 152, 153, 156, 157, 158, 160, 161, 165, 168, 179, 197, Sch.8 paras 1 and 22; Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 ss. 11,27; Road Traffic Act 1991 s. 3; Late Night Refreshment Houses Act 1969 ss. 7(2), 8, 9(1 )(4), 10; Town Police Clauses Act 1847 ss. 35, 61; London Hackney Carriage Act 1843 s.28; Merchant Shipping Act 1995 s.101(1)(a)(b), (4) and (5); Licensing Act 1902 ss.2, 6(2)(a)(b); similar provisions in Local Acts; Road Traffic Act ss.4(1)(2) s.5(1)(a)(b), s.6(4), s.7(6); Road Traffic Act 1988 ss. 3A, 7A as added by Police Reform Act 2002 s.56, Transport and Works Act 1992 S.31A as added by Police Reform Act 2002 s.52; Licensing (Occasional Permissions) Act 1983 s.3 [Sch. Para. 2, 3(a)(b), 4(1)(2)(3), 5, 6, 7, 8(2), 9(2)]; Licensing Act 1988 s. 17, 18; Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994, s. 19; Children and Young Persons Act 1933 s. 5; Criminal Justice Act 1996 s. 6. (2) The cautions statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been cautioned for two or more offences at the same time the principal offence is the more serious offence. (3) From 1 June 2000 the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 came into force nationally and removed the use of cautions for persons under 18 and replaced them with reprimands and final warnings. These figures have been included in the totals. (4) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source:  Office for Criminal Justice Reform—Evidence and Analysis Unit [IOS 224-09]. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: The number of persons proceeded against at magistrates' courts for alcohol related behaviour offences( 1)  in Wales, by police force area and age group, 2003 to 2007( 2,3) 
			  Police force area  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			   Age 10-17  Age 18-24  Age 10-17  Age 18-24  Age 10-17  Age 18-24  Age 10-17  Age 18-24  Age 10-17  Age 18-24 
			 Dyfed-Powys 29 298 37 336 26 281 31 266 26 286 
			 Gwent 36 456 56 450 57 418 64 411 73 464 
			 North Wales 101 560 85 532 61 405 54 432 49 411 
			 South Wales 101 985 128 1,044 103 1,102 73 876 72 783 
			 Total 267 2,299 306 2,362 247 2,206 222 1,985 220 1,944 
			 (1) Includes offences under the: Licensing Act 1872 s.12; Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc) Act 1985 ss.1(2)(3)(4) & 1A(2)(3)(4), 2(1) (2), 5B(2)(3), 5C(3)(4), 5D(2)(3), 6(2); Confiscation of Alcohol (Young Persons) Act 1997 s. 1; Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 ss.12, 17, 25(3)(a)(b), 25(4)(5), 32; Criminal Justice Act 1967 s.91; Licensing Act 1964 ss. 5C(5), 6, 6, 19, 28(3), 34, 36, 39(1)(2)(3)(4), 45, 48, 51(4), 53, 59(1)(a)(b), 71(4), 72, 84, 85(2), 89, 155(1)(a), 157(1)(a)(b), 157(1)(b), 159, 160,(1)(a)(b), 161(1)(2), 162, 163, 164(1)(2), 165, 166(1)(a)(b), 167, 168A, 168(1)(2), 169A, 169B, 169C(1)(2)(3), 169E(1), 169F, 169G, 170, 171A(1), 172, 172A, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179A(6), 179B(5)(6), 179E(8), 179H(2), 181A(1)(2)(3), 183(1)(2)(3), 184, 185, 186, 187(3)(4), 188, 193(7) Sch.8 Appendix C s. 6, Appendix D; Licensing (Young Persons) Act 2000 s.1; Licensing Act 2003 ss. 33, 40, 41, 46, 49, 56, 57, 59, 82, 83, 93, 94, 96, 108, 109, 123, 127, 128, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 147A, 148, 149(1)(3)(4)(7(a)(b), 150(1)(2), 151, 152, 153, 156, 157, 158, 160, 161, 165, 168, 179, 197, Sch.8 paras 1 and 22; Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 ss. 11, 27; Road Traffic Act 1991 s. 3; Late Night Refreshment Houses Act 1969 ss. 7(2), 8, 9(1 )(4), 10; Town Police Clauses Act 1847 ss. 35, 61; London Hackney Carriage Act 1843 s.28; Merchant Shipping Act 1995 s.101(1)(a)(b), (4) & (5); Licensing Act 1902 ss.2, 6(2)(a)(b); similar provisions in Local Acts; Road Traffic Act ss.4(1)(2) s.5(1)(a)(b), s.6(4), s.7(6); Road Traffic Act 1988 ss. 3A, 7A as added by Police Reform Act 2002 s.56, Transport and Works Act 1992 S.31A as added by Police Reform Act 2002 s.52; Licensing (Occasional Permissions) Act 1983 s.3 [Sch. Para. 2, 3(a)(b), 4(1)(2)(3), 5, 6, 7, 8(2), 9(2)]; Licensing Act 1988 s. 17,18; Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994, s. 19; Children and Young Persons Act 1933 s. 5; Criminal Justice Act 1996 s. 6. (2) These data are on the principal offence basis. (3) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source:  Office for Criminal Justice Reform—Evidence and Analysis Unit [IOS 224-09]. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3: The number of penalty notices for disorder given for alcohol related behaviour offences( 1,2)  in Wales, by police force area and age group, 2004 to 2007( 3) 
			  Police force area  2004  2005  2006  200 7 
			   Age 10-17  Age 18-24  Age 10-17  Age 18-24  Age 10-17  Age 18-24  Age 10-17  Age 18-24 
			 Dyfed-Powys 14 88 25 175 20 183 15 125 
			 Gwent 6 71 26 122 19 177 19 129 
			 North Wales 57 362 123 636 176 724 149 638 
			 South Wales 1 46 45 305 91 430 25 202 
			 Total 78 567 219 1,238 306 1,514 208 1,094 
			 (1) Includes offences under the: Criminal Justice Act 1967 s. 91; Licensing Act 2003 s. 141, 146(1)(3), 149(1)(3)(4), 150(1)(2), 151; Licensing Act 1872 s. 12; Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 s. 12; (2) The offence of being 'drunk and disorderly' moved from the lower tier (£50) to the upper tier (£80) on 1st November 2004; Sale of alcohol to a person under 18, Purchasing alcohol for a person under 18, Delivery of alcohol to a person under 18 or allowing such delivery, Consumption of alcohol by a person under 18 on relevant premises, Allowing consumption of alcohol by a person under 18 on relevant premises, were added to the scheme on 1 November 2004; Sale of alcohol to a drunken person, Buying or Attempting to buy alcohol by a person under 18, were added to the Scheme with effect from 4 April 2005. (3) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source:  Office for Criminal Justice Reform—Evidence and Analysis Unit [IOS 224-09].

Alcoholic Drinks: Young People

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total revenue from fines imposed on those selling alcohol to under-age people was in each year since 2003.

Alan Campbell: The available figures are shown in the following table.
	The total amount of fines calculated is based on principal offences and primary disposals only.
	The data provided gives the whole amount of fines imposed which will always be higher than the amount collected.
	
		
			  Total amount of fines issued for selling alcohol to person under 18, 2003-07 
			  £ 
			  Offence  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 Wholesaler selling intoxicating liquor to person under 18 — 320 1,400 — — 
			 Selling etc. intoxicating liquor to person under 18(1) or sale of alcohol to person under 18(2) 89,385 126,310 167,055 218,579 169,688 
			 Allowing sale of alcohol to person under 18 — — — 2,755 2,800 
			 Persistently selling alcohol to children — — — — — 
			 Total 89,385 126,630 168,455 221,334 172,488 
			 (1 )Licensing Act 1964 S.168 A & B as added by Licensing (Young Persons) Act 2000 S.1.  (2 )Licensing Act 2003 S.146.   Notes: 1. The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with and disposals were primary disposals handed out. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe an offender could be issued with more than one disposal for a committed offence.  2. Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.   Source: (OMSAS)-379-03-09.

Animal Experiments: EU Law

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions she has had with animal welfare organisations on the revision of Directive 86/609/EEC on the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes.

Alan Campbell: The European Commission proposal for a draft directive for the protection of animals used in scientific procedures to replace Directive 86/609/EEC was published in November 2008. My hon. Friend Meg Hillier met the All Party Parliamentary FRAME Group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), and the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) earlier in 2009 to discuss aspects of the draft directive. Home Office officials have also met with a wide and representative cross-section of relevant stakeholder groups to discuss its provisions and we are now holding a public consultation on the proposal to inform the Government's negotiating position. The consultation closes on 3 July 2009.

Burglary: Rotherham

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes of burglary were reported in Rotherham constituency in each year since 2001.

Alan Campbell: The available information relates to offences recorded by the police in the Rotherham local authority area and is given in the following table. The National Crime Recording Standard was introduced in April 2002 and data for 2002-03 onwards are therefore not directly comparable with the data for earlier years.
	
		
			  Burglary offences recorded by the police in the Rotherham local authority area 
			  Financial year  Burglary in a dwelling  Other burglary  Total burglary 
			 2000-01 2,514 3,192 5,706 
			 2001-02 2,567 3,007 5,574 
			 (1) — — — 
			 2002-03 2,680 3,174 5,854 
			 2003-04 2,046 2,607 4,653 
			 2004-05 1,389 1,933 3,322 
			 2005-06 1,374 2,151 3,525 
			 2006-07 1,457 2,106 3,563 
			 2007-08 1,313 1,818 3,131 
			 (1) The National Crime Recording Standard was introduced in April 2002 and figures before and after that date are not directly comparable.

Crimes of Violence: Elderly

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many violent crimes were committed against those aged 60 years and over in  (a) Crosby constituency and  (b) England in each of the last 10 years.

Alan Campbell: The information requested in not collected centrally. The age of victims of violent crime offences is not available from the recorded crime statistics collected by the Home Office.

Damian Green

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the evidential basis was for the claim made by senior officials in her Department that the unauthorised disclosure of information to the hon. Member for Ashford was a potential risk to national security; what representations she has received from  (a) hon. Members and  (b) members of the public about this issue; and if she will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: The Cabinet Office statement, issued on 18 April 2009 makes clear that between 2005 and the start of the police investigation there were a large number of leaks from across Government, including information classified as secret and above—a classification usually given only on national security grounds. In addition, there were about 20 leaks of classified documents directly from the Home Office.
	The Director of Public Prosecutions' statement on 16 April 2009 acknowledged that "once the pattern of leaks was established in this case, it was inevitable that a police investigation would follow".
	Any leaks are a serious matter. They have a corrosive and damaging effect on the business of Government and undermine the core value of the impartiality of the civil service, as set out in the civil service code.
	Ministers received a small amount of correspondence from both members of the public and hon. Members on this issue.

Damian Green

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she was informed that the hon. Member for Ashford would not be prosecuted; and if she will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: The Director of Public Prosecutions informed my right hon. Friend's office by fax at 10.49 on 16 April 2009 that the hon. Member for Ashford would not be prosecuted. The DPP made a televised statement shortly after 11.00 and issued a press release to this effect at 11.15.

Disclosure of Information

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions her special advisers have had with  (a) Ministers,  (b) civil servants and  (c) others on the police investigation into the unauthorised disclosure of documents from her Department.

Vernon Coaker: No such discussions occurred prior to the arrest of the hon. Member for Ashford on 27 November 2008. Subsequently, Home Office special advisers have had a number of discussions in the course of their normal duties with Ministers, civil servants and others in relation to the investigation of leaks from the Home Office.

Driving Offences: Training

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what proportion of persons  (a) committing traffic offences and  (b) involved in road traffic accidents have been offered driver rectification courses as an alternative to prosecution in each police authority area in each of the last three years.

Alan Campbell: The information requested is not available.
	Data reported to the Home Office on police action relating to motoring offences do not include information on driver rectification courses offered to offenders as an alternative to prosecution.

Theft: Fixed Penalties

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will issue guidance to police forces on the distinction between  (a) opportunistic and  (b) planned theft in the administering of fixed penalty notices.

Jack Straw: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government issue operational guidance on the issuing of penalty notices for disorder (PNDs) to police forces under section 6 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001. This guidance sets out the criteria which should be considered by police officers and makes clear that PNDs should not be issued where the offence is too serious and/or it involves aggravating factors, for example, where a theft has been planned.
	Following representations from the hon. Lady and retail trades, the guidance covering shoplifting is being revised to clarify further the type of theft offence for which a penalty notice may be suitable. The new guidance will be issued shortly. However, police officers are accustomed to distinguishing different circumstances in which offences are committed, and no specific guidance will be offered on distinguishing between opportunistic and planned theft.
	We are also considering the use of PNDs for retail theft and will report our conclusions to the House shortly.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Carbon Sequestration

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change 
	(1)  what risk descriptions are listed in the carbon capture and storage demonstration procurement project risk register;
	(2)  which Government Departments contributed to the carbon capture and storage demonstration procurement project risk register;
	(3)  what level of  (a) inherent and  (b) residual risk has been assigned to each risk in the risk register for the carbon capture and storage demonstration project; and what steps (i) have been taken and (ii) are planned to be taken to mitigate each risk.

Mike O'Brien: The carbon capture and storage demonstration project team maintains a register of the risks to the competition. In the register, the Department records risks and associated mitigating factors openly and honestly, and away from the gaze of the bidders. The release of this information would not be in the public interest because it might have an inhibiting effect on the frankness and candour of the risk assessments or on the assessment of likelihood and impact of risks, and its release would also prejudice the Department's commercial interests, in particular, the Department's bargaining position and its ability to negotiate a competitive deal with the bidders.
	The risk register was originally created by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) but responsibility for it transferred to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) following its creation in October 2008. HM Treasury and Department for Transport indirectly contribute to the risk register through normal project governance. No other Government Departments have contributed to the risk register.

Carbon Sequestration

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the minimum requirement of net electricity output will be from carbon capture and storage demonstration plants under the demonstration project.

Mike O'Brien: For the demonstration project announced in November 2007, we set out in the Project Information Memorandum the expectation that CCS technologies would be demonstrated on the flue gases of 300-400MW electrical output. The minimum requirement of net electrical output for this project will be confirmed in the invitation to negotiate to be issued to bidders.
	We will shortly be consulting on proposals for additional demonstration projects and have already set out our intention to consult on a proposed 300MW net electrical output minimum requirement. The minimum requirement will be confirmed after the consultation has been completed.

Carbon Sequestration

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change 
	(1)  when the carbon capture and storage demonstration procurement project risk register was created; when it was last updated; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the purpose of the carbon capture and storage demonstration procurement project risk register is; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 3 June 2009
	 The carbon capture and storage demonstration procurement project risk register was created in June 2007 and was last updated on 29 May 2009.
	The risk register is a repository of information about risks affecting the project. It provides identification, estimation, impact evaluation and countermeasures for all risks to the project. It acts as a control tool for the management team to manage the project's exposure to risk and to keep that exposure to an acceptable level in a cost effective way. Risks are evaluated using assessments of likelihood, impact and proximity and are allocated to "owners" to ensure that agreed and documented actions are taken and reported on an ongoing basis.

Carbon Sequestration

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent progress has been made in the development of carbon capture and storage technology; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Barnsley, Central (Mr. Illsley) on 4 June 2009,  Official Report, column 631W.

Departmental Marketing

Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much has been spent by his Department on advertising in weekly and regional newspapers since its inception.

Mike O'Brien: £191,638, excluding VAT.

Departmental Pay

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much his Department paid in end-of-year performance bonuses to  (a) all staff and  (b) senior civil service staff in 2008-09; and how many such payments were made.

Mike O'Brien: The Department has yet to determine the end-of-year performance bonuses for all staff including senior civil service staff for the year 2008-09.

Departmental Safety

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much his Department spent on compliance with requirements of health and safety at work legislation since its creation; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: The Department occupy buildings and uses support services provided by both the Department of Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs. Compliance with the requirements of health and safety at work legislation are included in these services and not separately accounted for.

Departmental Training

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much his Department has spent on IT training for its staff since its creation.

Mike O'Brien: This information is not held centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Work Experience

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many work placements his Department has offered to  (a) school pupils,  (b) university students and  (c) graduates since its creation.

Mike O'Brien: Since its creation in October 2008 DECC has offered work placements to:
	 (a) Three school pupils
	 (b) Seven university students
	 (c) Two graduates

Electricite de France

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with Vincent De Rivaz, Chief Executive of EDF UK, in respect of his statement on 26 May 2009 that EDF UK will be seeking subsidies from public funds to support new nuclear plants developed by EDF UK at sites in England and Wales.

Mike O'Brien: No discussions have taken place with Vincent De Rivaz in respect of his statement in the  Financial Times on 26 May 2009.
	The Government agree with the point made by M. De Rivaz that a robust carbon price is likely to be one of the conditions for long-term investment in low carbon power stations like nuclear.
	Government have said that the EU ETS will remain the key carbon pricing mechanism, and the Government are confident that they can provide a continuing price signal; however, the Government are keeping open the option of further measures to reinforce the operation of the EU ETS in the UK should this be necessary to provide greater certainty to investors.

Energy

David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what representations his Department and its predecessor have received from  (a) the Association of Electricity Producers and  (b) Drax Power Limited since 2005.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 21 May 2009
	 As the Department responsible for energy and the generation sector, DECC has received a significant number of representations from the AEP and Drax since 2005. These representations concerned a wide range of issues relating to the generators' businesses and the energy market.

Energy

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the proportion of UK energy demand that was met by energy from  (a) fossil fuel sources in (i) each year from 1987 to 1989 and (ii) 2008 and  (b) nuclear sources in each year since 1987.

Mike O'Brien: The proportion of UK demand met by fossil fuel sources in the years 1987 to 1989 was 92.5 per cent., 91.5 per cent. and 90.6 per cent. respectively. Provisional estimates suggest that 91.9 per cent. of UK energy demand was met by fossil fuel sources in 2008.
	The following tables details the proportion of UK energy demand met from nuclear sources in the years 1987 through to 2008.
	
		
			   Percentage 
			 1987 6.8 
			 1988 7.8 
			 1989 8.4 
			 1990 7.6 
			 1991 7.9 
			 1992 8.5 
			 1993 9.8 
			 1994 9.7 
			 1995 9.8 
			 1996 9.6 
			 1997 10.2 
			 1998 10.2 
			 1999 9.7 
			 2000 8.4 
			 2001 8.8 
			 2002 8.7 
			 2003 8.6 
			 2004 7.8 
			 2005 7.8 
			 2006 7.4 
			 2007 6.2 
			 2008 5.5

Energy Industry: Job Creation

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent steps his Department has taken to encourage employers in the energy sector to create new jobs in the UK.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 24 April 2009
	The UK has led the world in taking a strategic and long-term approach to the problem of climate change. Existing policies are already enabling £50 billion of low carbon investment over the three years to 2011, and helping to support 900,000 jobs. Budget 2009 builds on these foundations and provides over £1.4 billion of extra targeted support in the low carbon sector. Together with announcements made last autumn, these measures will enable an additional £10.4 billion of low carbon and energy investment over the next three years. This will help protect investment and jobs in the low carbon sector in the short term and provide the foundations for strong growth in the future.

Energy: Billing

Elliot Morley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent discussions he has had with Ofgem on the simplification and standardisation of energy bills for the purposes of assisting consumers.

Mike O'Brien: Ministers have met with Ofgem and discussed a range of issues in the energy supply markets. Following the results of its probe into energy markets, Ofgem recently consulted on proposals designed to help consumers to make well-informed choices. The proposals include an obligation on suppliers to provide clearer information, including simplified information on tariffs to make comparison easier. The consultation closed on 29 May.

Energy: Finance

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much has been spent from the public purse on the generation of energy from  (a) oil,  (b) gas,  (c) coal,  (d) nuclear sources and  (e) renewable sources in each year since 1990.

Mike O'Brien: Since its creation on 3 October 2008, the Department of Energy and Climate Change has not spent any money from the public purse on the actual generation of energy from oil and gas fired, coal fired, nuclear power and renewable energy sources.
	Financial support for renewable generation comes mainly through the renewables obligation, which is ultimately paid for by electricity consumers. The Government also pay grants towards the installation costs of a variety of renewable generation, and development of new technologies.
	The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority currently has two operating nuclear power stations, the costs of running which are covered by the income that they generate.

Energy: Meters

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will have discussions with smaller energy suppliers on their practice in introducing smart meters at minimal cost to consumers.

Mike O'Brien: The Government published a consultation on smart metering for electricity and gas on 11 May 2009 (available on the open consultations section of the DECC website). We look forward to receiving contributions to this consultation and we will engage with a wide range of stakeholders to gather views throughout the consultation period.

Energy: Meters

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will bring forward legislative proposals to restrict to a minimum the cost to consumers of the introduction of smart meters.

Mike O'Brien: The Government published a consultation on smart metering for electricity and gas on 11 May 2009 (available on the open consultations section of the DECC website). The consultation document includes discussion of the programme of work that will be needed to prepare for the roll-out of smart meters. There will be a substantial programme to complete, including consideration of the most appropriate regulatory framework.

Energy: Prices

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the effect on energy prices of measures to implement commitments to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Mike O'Brien: DECC's analysis estimates that the benefits to the UK as a whole of measures to help avert climate change could outweigh the costs by more than 10 times. Where these measures lead to an international climate agreement consistent with delivering a 450 ppm stabilisation of GHG atmospheric concentrations, we estimate the total benefits at £241.9 billion. This compares with total costs of £20.6 billion. The Impact Assessment can be found at:
	www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/lc_uk/carbon_budgets/carbon_budgets.aspx
	The Government are committed to ensuring that policies to avert climate change are cost-effective.
	For household consumers, approximately 12 to 14 per cent. of current average electricity prices is attributable to measures to implement commitments to reduce carbon dioxide emissions (the Renewables Obligation, the EU Emissions Trading Scheme and the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target).
	For household gas consumers, approximately 2 per cent. of the average gas price is attributable to the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target.
	However the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target supports energy efficiency measures for households and so will deliver over time an overall saving on both gas and electricity bills greater than its total cost to consumers.
	For medium industrial electricity consumers, approximately 20 per cent. of current average electricity bills is attributable to measures to implement commitments to reduce carbon dioxide emissions (the Renewables Obligation, EU ETS and the Climate Change Levy).
	On gas, approximately 7 per cent. of current average prices for a medium industrial gas consumer is attributable to the Climate Change Levy.
	Actual proportions for individual industrial consumers will vary from these estimated averages according to the considerable ranges of prices paid and of consumption sizes. Impacts will generally be lower for those companies which have entered into Climate Change Agreements. The revenue raised by the Climate Change Levy is recycled back to business, primarily through a 0.3 percentage point reduction in employers' national insurance contributions.

Floods

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what progress his Department has made in its  (a) survey and  (b) review of (i) the resilience of and (ii) resilience plans developed by the (A) electricity, (B) gas and (C) oil sector in respect of flooding.

Mike O'Brien: Taking each sector in turn:
	 (A) Electricity:
	The then Energy Minister initiated an in depth review into the resilience of electricity substations to flood risk shortly after the floods of summer 2007. This review was led by the Electricity Networks Association (ENA) and included representatives from DECC, all electricity network owners, the Environment Agency (EA)/SEPA, the Met Office and Ofgem. The Pitt review team also attended several meetings of the review steering group. As a result of this work we are now at a position where:
	The electricity network companies and the environment agency have completed a structured exchange of information that has enabled the companies to identify all the sites at risk to fluvial or tidal flooding.
	There have been improvements made in the provision of flood warning information between the EA and the electricity sector. In particular the network owners now receive a daily risk based flood warning bulletin from the EA which is sent by e-mail.
	All the electricity distribution companies have submitted investment plans to Ofgem as part of their current five year price reviews which include proposals to improve the flood resilience of major electricity substations.
	The Energy Networks Association (ENA) will shortly be issuing an "Engineering Technical Recommendation", essentially an agreed industry standard, setting out best practice for network owners in managing flood risk at major substations.
	Company business continuity plans for flood risk have been significantly improved by the information that has emerged during the ENA led review.
	Electricity companies have also undertaken certain strategic investments to improve their resilience to flood risk in the short term. For example the substations in Gloucester that were impacted by the flooding, at Walham and Castlemeads, now have permanent flood defence barriers and a number of companies have purchased relocatable flood defence systems. In addition companies have reviewed the design of large new substations at risk to flooding and have taken steps to raise them above the level of potential flood waters where appropriate.
	 (B) Gas and (C) Oil.
	DECC has also completed a survey of both the gas and oil sectors to establish their awareness of flood risk and identify any significant risks to the continuity of supplies. Although inherently more resilient than the electricity networks, and with little evidence of supply problems due to flooding, a small number of residual risks were identified that could lead to local difficulties in the most severe flooding situations. The management of these risks is being progressed with the companies and their trade associations.

Fossil Fuel Levy: Scotland

Adam Ingram: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the balance of the Scottish fossil fuel levy account was on 31 March 2009.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 2 June 2009
	The balance of the Scottish fossil fuel levy account was £153.2 million on 31 March 2009.

Fuel Oil: Lancashire

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the volume of domestic fuel oil consumed by households in Lancashire between 1 November and 31 March in each of the last five years; and what assessment he has made of the likely effects of the implementation of the National Energy Efficiency Saving Plan on such volumes.

Mike O'Brien: The domestic fuel oil consumption statistics for Lancashire are not available for the requested period of 1 November to 31 March as DECC only publish sub-national energy consumption statistics on a calendar year basis. The annual statistics are currently available for the years 2003 to 2006 and can be seen in the following table. It must be noted that the data are modelled and that there are methodological differences between 2003 and 2004 and the later years. The changes were recognised as improvements and as such the statistics gained National Statistics status in 2005. Details of all methodologies can be found at:
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/energy/statistics/regional/other/page36195.html
	
		
			   Thousand tonnes of oil equivalent of fuel oil consumed by the domestic sector in Lancashire 
			 2003 48.4 
			 2004 44.4 
			 2005 35.7 
			 2006 37.4 
		
	
	No specific assessment has been made of the impact our energy efficiency policies have had on fuel oil consumption in Lancashire.

Fuel Poverty: North-West

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what trends in energy prices he forecasts for the forthcoming winter; and what assessment he has made of the likely effect of those trends on fuel poverty levels in  (a) the north-west and  (b) the UK.

Mike O'Brien: DECC do not publish projections of energy prices. Ofgem have recently published their second quarterly report which provides greater transparency regarding the relationship between wholesale prices and retail energy prices.
	This can be found at:
	http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Pages/MoreInformation. aspx?docid=98&refer=Markets/RetMkts/ensuppro

Fuels: Prices

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his latest estimate is of the average monthly fuel bill for a  (a) one bedroom,  (b) two bedroom,  (c) three bedroom and  (d) four or more bedroom property.

Mike O'Brien: DECC does not hold any data on electricity and gas bills on a monthly basis or by property size.
	The Department's latest estimates for the average annual domestic energy bills relate to the year to December 2008 and are published in Quarterly Energy Prices, the latest edition of which was published in March 2009, available online at:
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/energy/statistics/publications/prices/index.html/statistics/publications/prices/index.html
	For an average consumer using 3,300 kWh of electricity and 18,000 kWh of gas per year and paying their bills on receipt (standard credit), in 2008 the average annual electricity bill was £405 and the average gas bill was £570.

Housing: Insulation

Alan Milburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many houses have been insulated in  (a) each region of England and  (b) Darlington under Government schemes in each of the last five years.

Joan Ruddock: The following tables detail the number of homes insulated in  (a) each region of England and  (b) Darlington under Warm Front in the last five years.
	
		
			  (a) insulated households in each region of England 
			  Region  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09 
			 East Midlands (1)— 2,904 9,087 9,320 8,562 
			 East of England (1)— 2,809 8,980 10,161 10,825 
			 Greater London 9,795 5,079 4,952 6,041 6,105 
			 North East England 10,913 5,463 6,049 4,833 3,353 
			 North West England 33,478 18,930 24,541 20,988 19,166 
			 South East England 13,602 8,709 9,751 8,684 8,889 
			 South West England 12,038 7,487 8,161 8,296 7,987 
			 West Midlands 20,520 11,112 12,844 11,958 10,522 
			 Yorkshire and Humber (1)— 4,202 11,283 13,385 9,845 
			 (1) Unavailable 
		
	
	
		
			  (b) Insulated households in Darlington 
			   Number 
			 2004-05 581 
			 2005-06 221 
			 2006-07 305 
			 2007-08 204 
			 2008-09 134 
			  Note: Households insulated may have received one or more measures, such as cavity wall and loft insulation. Additionally, figures for 2004-05 do not include the Eastern Region or Yorkshire and the Humber as these areas were managed by a different Scheme Manager at this time (Powergen) and the data retained are not sufficient to provide a consolidated response.

International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Co-operation

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when the International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Co-operation (IPEEC) was launched; what resources the UK has committed in support of the IPEEC; where the IPEEC secretariat will be based; what plans he has to invite other prospective IPEEC partners to join; how the output of IPEEC will be disseminated; and what plans he has to report to Parliament on the work of the IPEEC.

Mike O'Brien: The International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Co-operation (IPEEC) was formally launched at the meeting of G8 Energy Ministers in Rome on 24 May 2009. IPEEC is intended as a high level forum to co-ordinate international action and facilitate the exchange of information in order to promote the development of effective policies and measures to promote energy efficiency globally.
	The partnership will hold its first working level meetings later this year at which the detailed work programme and the indicative budget for the IPEEC will be determined. IPEEC's Terms of Reference provide for all resource contributions, whether in-kind or financial, to be made on a voluntary basis.
	The Secretariat for the IPEEC will be hosted by the International Energy Agency and nationals of all the partner countries will be eligible to apply for posts within the Secretariat. The Secretariat will have an important role to play in disseminating the output from the IPEEC work programme through workshops, publications, electronic communication tools and input to wider international energy and climate change processes. We hope that IPEEC will quickly expand beyond its founding members (the G8, China, India, South Korea, Brazil, Mexico and the European Commission). At the G8 Energy Ministers meeting the partners issued an open invitation for all interested countries to join IPEEC. We will report on progress when we report on our international energy strategy as part of the DECC Annual Report.

Low Carbon Buildings Programme

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many  (a) solar photovoltaic (PV) and  (b) other projects have been completed under the low carbon buildings programme Phase 2; how many solar PV projects are awaiting funding approval; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 8 May 2009
	Under Phase 2 of the low carbon buildings programme the number of  (a) solar photovoltaic (PV) and  (b) other projects have been completed are shown in the following table. To date £27.3 million has been committed to solar photovoltaic projects and 155 projects are awaiting approval, which should bring the total commitment to £31.5 million. A further 150 solar photovoltaic projects will be held on a waiting list.
	
		
			  Technology type  Committed payment to projects  Number of projects paid 
			 Solar photovoltaic 1,212 467 
			 Solar thermal hot water 401 93 
			 Wind turbines 171 41 
			 Ground source heat pumps 213 56 
			 Automated wood pellet stoves 0 0 
			 Wood fuelled boiler systems 30 13 
			 Total 2,027 670

Mines Rescue Service: Finance

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to the answer of 14 July 2008,  Official Report, column 72W, on the Mines Rescue Service: finance, what recent consideration the Coal Forum has given to the proposal for the Government to serve as guarantor of the financial bonds the European Commission requires from the Mines Rescue Service Limited for it to participate in the research programme of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 1 June 2009
	 Although the Coal Forum has in the past discussed various aspects of mines rescue provision and its financing, the issue of financial bonds in relation to European Commission research projects has not been specifically raised with it. I have, however, asked my officials to establish with Mines Rescue Services Ltd. the extent to which the bonding requirements in question continue to pose operational difficulties for the company and, if so, to advise me what steps might be taken to mitigate them.

Plutonium

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will provide funding for travel and accommodation for stakeholders to attend the meeting on civil plutonium policy being held at Manchester airport on 21 May 2009.

Mike O'Brien: No.

Plutonium

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change who was invited to his Department's meeting on plutonium management at the Manchester Airport Hotel on 21 May 2009; who  (a) accepted and  (b) declined those invitations; what reasons were given by those who declined; how much was spent on that meeting; whether funding was made available to those attending the meeting for expenses incurred in attending; how many officials from his Department attended; how much was spent on their travel and accommodation; who facilitated the meeting; and whether external consultants were used to organise and conduct the meeting.

Mike O'Brien: Those invited to the meeting on 21 May were:
	1. Allerdale borough council
	2. Copeland borough council
	3. Cumbria county council
	4. Highland council
	5. Shetland Highland council
	6. SERA
	7. Greenpeace
	8. Core
	9. Nuclear institute
	10. Nuclear Free Local Authorities Steering Committee
	11. Isle of Man Government
	12. Irish Government
	13. Nuclear Industry Association
	14. Scottish Government
	15. Welsh Assembly
	16. NuLeAF
	17. Corwm
	18. Friends of the Earth
	19. West Cumbria Site Stakeholder Group
	20. Dounreay Site Stakeholder Group
	21. Dr. Rachel Western
	22. Dr. David Lowry.
	Of those who were invited, Greenpeace, Nuclear institute, Nuclear Free Local Authorities Steering Committee, Irish Government, Isle of Man Government, Nuclear Industry Association, Copeland borough council, Cumbria county council, Shetland Highland council, Scottish Government, NuLeAF, Corwm, West Cumbria Site Stakeholder Group, Dounreay Site Stakeholder Group and Dr. Rachel Western accepted. Only the Welsh Assembly formally declined as they were unavailable.
	The total cost of the meeting, including the meeting room hire and the facilitators, was about £6,200.
	Expenses were not paid to those attending.
	Two officials attended the meeting. Their travel and accommodation costs were about £700.
	The meeting was facilitated by the Environment Council who helped organise and conduct the meeting.

Regional Electricity Companies

David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what representations he has received from  (a) the Association of Electricity Producers and  (b) Drax Power Limited on the effects of the implementation of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 20 May 2009
	According to departmental records there have been no representations to the Secretary of State from either the Association of Electricity Producers or Drax Power Limited concerning the effects of implementing the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005.

Renewable Energy

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what information his Department holds for benchmarking purposes on the proportion of electricity generated from renewable sources of energy in each EU member state in  (a) 2008 and  (b) 1999.

Mike O'Brien: The EU renewables directive has set targets to member states for the amount of energy from renewable sources. The following table shows information held by the Department for each of the EU member states, on a comparable basis for 1995 and 2005, as well as the normalised hydro basis, as calculated by Eurostat, for 2005.
	The Department does not hold information on the proportion of electricity generated from renewable sources in each of the EU member states—this can be found on the Eurostat website.
	
		
			  Percentage 
			   Share of renewable sources in final consumption of energy, 1995  Share of renewable sources in final consumption of energy, 2005  Share of renewable sources in final consumption of energy, 2005, after normalisation of hydro 
			 Sweden 35.7 40.8 39.8 
			 Latvia 30.2 35.5 34.9 
			 Finland 25.3 28.5 28.5 
			 Austria 26.0 23.0 23.3 
			 Romania 9.3 19.2 17.8 
			 Estonia 9.3 18.0 18.0 
			 Portugal 22.8 17.0 20.5 
			 Denmark 8.3 17.0 17.0 
			 Lithuania 9.5 15.1 15.0 
			 Slovenia 13.2 14.9 16.0 
			 Bulgaria 2.6 10.6 9.4 
			 France 11.4 9.5 10.3 
			 Spain 8.2 7.6 8.7 
			 Greece 7.9 7.5 6.9 
			 Poland 6.0 7.2 7.2 
			 Slovakia 3.8 6.9 6.7 
			 Czech Republic 2.2 6.3 6.1 
			 Germany 2.3 5.9 5.8 
			 Italy 4.3 4.6 5.2 
			 Hungary 3.5 4.3 4.3 
			 Ireland 2.0 3.0 3.1 
			 Cyprus 2.3 2.9 2.9 
			 Netherlands 1.2 2.4 2.4 
			 Belgium 1.1 2.2 2.2 
			 UK 1.0 1.3 1.3 
			 Luxembourg 0.8 0.9 0.9 
			 Malta 0.0 0.0 0.0

Renewable Energy

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much and what proportion of the UK electricity supply came from renewable sources in each year since 2006.

Mike O'Brien: The proportion of UK electricity generation from renewable sources for 2006 and 2007 are given in the following table. Data for 2008 will be available on 25 June 2009.
	
		
			   UK electricity generation (GWh)  UK electricity generation from renewables (GWh)  Renewables share of generation (percentage) 
			 2006 397,855 18,116 4.6 
			 2007 396,142 19,664 5.0 
			  Source:  Digest of UK Energy Statistics, 2008, tables 5.6 and 7.4, as updated on 23 December 2008. Available at:  http://www.berr.gov.uk/energy/statistics/publications/dukes/page45537.html

Renewable Energy: River Severn

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much has been spent from the public purse since 1980 on projects to provide renewable energy from the river Severn.

Mike O'Brien: —The Government's current feasibility study has cost approximately £3 million since 2008. A study by the Sustainable Development Commission in 2007 (which covered all UK tidal power) received £400,000 of public funding. A report by Sir Robert McAlpine Limited in 2002 received £50,000 funding, and approximately £2.8 million was spent on a major study in 1987.
	Severn tidal power has also been addressed at other times over the period as part of the wider assessment of UK marine energy potential. However there would be a disproportionate cost involved in obtaining accurate figures for spending related to energy from the Severn.

Renewable Energy: Scotland

Adam Ingram: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive on the draw-down and utilisation of the fund for the promotion of energy use from renewable sources.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 2 June 2009
	None.

Solar Power: Finance

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment his Department has made of the merits of increasing the level of the subsidy available to homeowners for the installation of solar panels at their properties.

Mike O'Brien: An additional £45 million was announced in the Budget on 22 April 2009 for the low carbon buildings programme. This funding provides additional support of £10 million to households applying under phase 1 of the scheme.
	We are considering the case on whether there is merit to increase the grant levels for the installation of solar panels. A decision will be made shortly.

THORP

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change for what reasons Nuclear Management Partners and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority decided to close the Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant (THORP) at Sellafield; what plans his Department has for the imported spent irradiated fuel awaiting reprocessing at THORP; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: THORP has not been closed; it is currently operating, albeit on a batch basis where each batch has its own safety justification. Existing policy for THORP is the plant will continue to operate until existing contracts have been completed or the plant is no longer economic.

Trade Unions

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 20 March 2009,  Official Report, column 1399W, on trade unions, what office facilities his Department provides for the exclusive use of each recognised trade union; and what the notional annual value of such provision is.

Mike O'Brien: None.

Wind Power

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many wind turbines will be erected over the next three years; and what recent estimate he has made of the effect this will have on the level of UK carbon dioxide emissions in each subsequent year.

Mike O'Brien: In line with Government targets for delivering 15 per cent. renewable energy by 2020, we do expect an increase in the deployment of renewable energy, including wind farms, over the next three years. The scale of the increase in wind turbines over this period will depend on how quickly the market brings forward projects, and developers are able to obtain planning consent or construct projects which already have consent.
	As an indication of the potential increase in the amount of wind energy over the next three years, 181 onshore and offshore wind developments (7393.4 MWe) have already received consent and are awaiting construction. A further 194 onshore and offshore wind projects (7316.8 MWe) are currently in the planning system(1). Those in the planning system may or may not be consented. The timing of construction of those wind farms that have been consented depends on the developers' plans. Planning applications for further projects for wind farms may also come forward in this timeframe.
	The effect that new wind farms will have on UK annual carbon dioxide emissions will depend on the speed of the build rate. It is estimated that in 2007 wind power saved 501 tonnes of CO2 per GWh of electricity supplied compared with emissions from all fuel sources, including nuclear and renewables(2).
	Our Renewable Energy Strategy consultation last summer estimated that meeting the 15 per cent. renewable energy target could save about 20 Mt CO2 a year in 2020 outside the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, and contribute around 50 to 55 Mt CO2 a year to meeting our ETS cap.
	(1) Source:
	AEA Technology, May 2009
	(2) Source:
	Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics (DUKES) 2008

Wind Power: South Downs

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what criteria his Department employed in determining award of the contract for the construction of wind turbines in the South Downs National Park.

Mike O'Brien: The Department does not hold information on the award of contracts for any proposed wind farms in the South Downs National Park.
	Contracting for the construction of wind turbines is a commercial matter for the developer of the proposed project.

Wind Power: South Downs

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when the wind turbines in the South Downs National Park near East Meon were  (a) planned and  (b) offered out to tender; and which companies tendered for the project.

Mike O'Brien: I am told that the Department does not hold this information. The contracting arrangements of wind farm projects are a commercial matter for the developer concerned.

Wind Power: South Downs

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions his Department has had with the management of Vesta plants in Southampton and the Isle of Wight on proposals for the building of wind turbines in the South Downs National Park.

Mike O'Brien: There have been no discussions between my Department and the management of Vesta on the issue of wind turbines in South Downs National Park.

Wind Power: South Downs

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will make an estimate of likely levels of retention of the skilled workforce at the Vesta turbine plants in Southampton and on the Isle of Wight in the next five years.

Mike O'Brien: The Department does not hold this information. It is a matter for the Vesta.

CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES

Children: Databases

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether users of the ContactPoint database will be able to gain access to the database via wireless connections.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: holding answer 1 June 2009
	Organisations, who implement a wireless network in accordance with the relevant HMG security policy, may allow users to access ContactPoint via that method. Technical security measures prevent access to ContactPoint from anything other than an approved network and it is not possible to gain access to ContactPoint from unsecured wireless broadband or public locations such as internet cafes and wireless "hotspots".

Departmental Manpower

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many officials work in his Department's Young People Directorate; and how many officials in that Directorate work for the  (a) Young People's Participation and Attainment,  (b) Young People: Qualification Strategy and Reform Group  (c) Apprenticeships division.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: As of 31 May 2009, 327 officials work in the Department's Young People Directorate (YPD):
	That figure includes staff working for the following Groups:
	Young People's Participation and Attainment Group: 71
	Young People: Qualification Strategy and Reform Group: 90
	Apprenticeships Group: 15
	These figures include 23 officials in the Joint Youth Justice Unit, which reports jointly to Young People Directorate in the Department for Children, Schools and Families, and Criminal Justice Group in the Ministry of Justice. The figure for Apprenticeships Group includes 13 officials working in the Joint Apprenticeship Unit, which reports to both DCSF and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS).

GCSE: Mathematics

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many  (a) 16 to 19 year olds,  (b) 19 to 25 year olds and  (c) over 25 year olds have been entered for a mathematics GCSE examination in each of the last 10 years.

Si�n Simon: I have been asked to reply.
	The following table shows the number of achievements by learners in LSC-funded further education provision of GCSE Mathematics in each academic year since 2003-04, the earliest year for which we have comparable information.
	
		
			  Achievements by learners in LSC-funded further education provision of GCSE Mathematics, 2003/04 to 2007/08 in England 
			  Age  2003/04  2004/05  2005/06  2006/07  2007/08 
			 Under 16 100 100  100 100 
			 16-18 26,900 26,600 26,100 25,900 24,900 
			 19-25 4,800 4,800 4,900 4,800 4,500 
			 Over 25 8,700 8,800 7,800 7,100 6,200 
			 Total 40,400 40,300 38,800 37,900 35,700 
			  Notes: 1. Age is based on age as at 31 August (academic age). 2. This information does not include learners studying GCSE Mathematics in Schools, higher education institutions or privately funded learners. 3. Figures are rounded to the nearest 100. 4. '' indicates less than 50. 5. Figures include achievements at any grade.  Source: FE ILF 
		
	
	Awarding body data on GCSE examination entries is analysed by the Department for Children, Schools and Families as part of the Secondary School Achievement and Attainment Tables publication. However, this work only covers young people at the end of key stage 4. Therefore, we do not have information readily available on all learners being entered for GCSE Mathematics examinations.
	Due to the increased number of pupils taking and successfully passing a Maths GCSE at school, we would expect the volume of learners studying this qualification at a further education college to fall. In 1997, there were 534.7 thousand 15-year-olds (academic age) attempting GCSE Mathematics and 250.3 thousand achieving a C grade or higher (around 50 per cent. of those attempting the subject). In 2004, 606.0 thousand pupils attempted GCSE Mathematics at the end of key stage 4 with 318.9 thousand achieving a grade A*-C (around 53 per cent. of those attempting the subject). In 2008, 609.7 thousand pupils attempted GCSE Mathematics at the end of key stage 4, with 361.1 thousand achieving a grade A*-C (59 per cent. of those attempting the subject).
	A GCSE may not necessarily be the most appropriate learning outcome for many learners and colleges have been encouraged to advise learners to study the most relevant qualification to them. Many learners who may previously have undertaken a GCSE in Mathematics now have their numeracy needs picked up through embedded learning in other courses.
	Over the past few years the Government have prioritised investment in adult skills towards those courses that best provide individuals with the skills to enter into sustained employment and progress into further learning. In 2007/08 464,000 learners achieved a Numeracy Skills for Life qualification.

Pre-school education

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many state-funded nursery places there are in each local authority area; how many of these are occupied; and if he will make a statement.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Information on the number of state-funded nursery places in each local authority area is not collected centrally.
	The Department publishes information on the part-time equivalent number of free early education places filled by three and four year olds. This is derived by counting children taking up 12 and a half hours per week as one place, 10 hours per week as 0.8 places, seven and a half hours per week as 0.6 places, five hours per week as 0.4 places and two and a half hours per week as 0.2 places.
	The latest information on the number of free early education places filled by three and four year olds can be found in Table 5 of the Statistical First Release (SFR) 12/2008 Provision for children under five years of age in England, January 2008 which is available on the Department's website at:
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000790/index.shtml

Racial Harassment: Barnsley

Eric Illsley: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children were  (a) excluded from school and  (b) otherwise disciplined in Barnsley for a racist attack on a teacher in the academic year (a) 2006-07, (b) 2007-08 and (c) 2008-09.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Information is not collected in the form requested.
	Information on the reason for exclusion from school is broken down into a number of categories. While there are categories for 'racist abuse' and 'physical assault against an adult' the categories are not broken down to specifically cover racist attacks on teachers.
	Exclusions statistics for 2006/07, including breakdown by reason for exclusion, were published in SFR 14/2008 'Permanent and Fixed Period Exclusions from Schools in England 2006/07' which is available at:
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000793/index.shtml
	Exclusions statistics for 2007/08 are scheduled to be published in the summer; information for 2008/09 is expected to be published in summer 2010.
	Statistics are not collected by the Department on the numbers of pupils disciplined for particular kinds of behaviour.

Truancy: Greater Manchester

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many parents have been fined as a result of their children not attending school in each borough in Greater Manchester in each of the last five years.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Ministry of Justice collects data for England and Wales on prosecutions brought against parents under the Education Act 1996 for the offence under s444(1) of failing to secure their child's regular attendance at school; and for prosecutions under s444(1A), the aggravated offence of knowing that their child is failing to attend school regularly. It is possible, because of the way courts record data that some data is collected under the more general heading of various offences under the Education Act 1996.
	The information on the number of parents sentenced and given fines in the Greater Manchester area is detailed in the table. The data for 2008 will be published this autumn. The Ministry of Justice only collects information on sentencing based on police force regions.
	The Department also collects and publishes data on penalty notices (fines) issued by local authorities in England to parents for not securing their child's regular attendance at school. The figures for the last four years for each local authority in the Greater Manchester region are detailed in the following table.
	
		
			  Adults sentenced for child truanting offences( 1)  in the Greater Manchester police force area, 2005-07 
			   Detail  Fined 
			 2003 Parent failing to secure their child's regular attendance at school 155 
			  Parent knowing that their child is failing to attend school regularly without reasonable justification to cause him or her to attend school 3 
			
			 2004 Parent failing to secure their child's regular attendance at school 154 
			  Parent knowing that their child is failing to attend school regularly without reasonable justification to cause him or her to attend school 24 
			
			 2005 Parent failing to secure their child's regular attendance at school 176 
			  Parent knowing that their child is failing to attend school regularly without reasonable justification to cause him or her to attend school 58 
			
			 2006 Parent failing to secure their child's regular attendance at school 492 
			  Parent knowing that their child is failing to attend school regularly without reasonable justification to cause him or her to attend school 51 
			
			 2007 Parent failing to secure their child's regular attendance at school 481 
			  Parent knowing that their child is failing to attend school regularly without reasonable justification to cause him or her to attend school 105 
			 (1) These data are extracted on the principal offence basis.  Note: These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.  Source: QMS Analytical Services, Ministry of Justice 
		
	
	
		
			  Penalty notices issued by local authorities to parents for their children's non school attendance in the Greater Manchester area 
			  Number of PNs for unauthorised absence over:  Bolton  Bury  Manchester  Oldham  Rochdale  Salford  Stockport  Tameside  Trafford  Wigan 
			 2004/05 4 53 271 31 0 2 40 6 0 37 
			 2005/06 295 61 118 88 27 416 320 90 8 113 
			 2006/07 228 61 195 80 97 508 329 0 9 198 
			 2007/08 198 106 278 124 211 242 154 30 34 202 
			  Source: Department for Children, Schools and Families data March 2009

Young Offender Institutions: Education

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much funding each young offender institution (YOI) received from the Learning and Skills Council for the provision of education and training in the last 12 months; and how many hours per week education and training were provided on average in each YOI.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Education in public sector young offender institutions (YOIs) in England is currently provided by contractors appointed by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC).
	The LSC learning providers are contracted to deliver a minimum of 15 hours per learner per week. The delivery of the remaining hours to meet the Youth Justice Board requirement of 25 hours per learner per week is the responsibility of the Prison Service. Therefore the figures below do not represent the total spend on education and training or the total average number hours of education and training received by juvenile young people in YOIs because they do not include provision funded and delivered by the Prison Service delivered as part of the wider regimes.
	The following table shows the Learning and Skills Council's total spend in each YOI in the academic year 2007/08 (the most recent figures available) and the average number of hours per learner per week engaged in LSC funded learning and skills which this funding represented.
	Some YOIs are 'split-site' and contain both 'juveniles' (young people mostly aged 15-17, and some 18 year olds near the end of their sentence), and 'young adults' aged 18-20, and the figures below cover juveniles only. The data for 'young adults' are collected differently and cannot be readily extracted in the same way.
	
		
			  1 August 2007 to 31 July 2008 
			  Establishment  Spend (  )  Average hours per learner per week for those engaged in learning 
			 Castington (split site)(1) 1,244,101.00 18.04 
			 Lancaster Farms 982,054.00 18.05 
			 Hindley 1,764,889.00 16.94 
			 Eastwood Park 255,015.00 16.15 
			 Brinsford (split site)(1) 1,256,545.00 14.03 
			 Cookham Wood 259,989.00 (2) 
			 Downview 252,109.00 19.88 
			 Feltham (split site)(1) 1,907,053.00 22.71 
			 Foston Hall 249,403.00 19.29 
			 Huntercombe 2,256,948.00 14.74 
			 New Hall 383,455.00 22.07 
			 Stoke Heath (split site)(1) 1,729,089.00 11.38 
			 Warren Hill 1,653,539.00 12.46 
			 Werrington 1,015,765.00 15.36 
			 Wetherby 2,045,829.00 17.94 
			 Total 17,255,789.00 (3)17.07 
			 (1) The funding against the split sites only applies to the 15-17 year olds, and does not include the 18-21 (for which the figures cannot be extracted) (2) Between January 2008 and April 2008 there were no young people in Cookham Wood therefore it is not possible to calculate an average that can reasonably be compared to other establishments. (3 )This average excludes Cookham Wood

WORK AND PENSIONS

Departmental Stationery

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of office supplies purchased by his Department were recycled products in the latest period for which figures are available.

Jonathan R Shaw: During the period April 2008 to March 2009, approximately 94 per cent. of office supplies purchased by DWP were recycled products.

Incapacity Benefit

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of incapacity benefit claimants in  (a) each region,  (b) each Jobcentre Plus district and  (c) the UK (i) had and (ii) were receiving treatment for (A) drug addiction problems and (B) alcohol addiction problems in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: Information on the number of people claiming incapacity benefit and receiving treatment for drug addiction problems and alcohol addiction problems is not available in the form requested.
	We estimate that around 350,000 of the around 400,000 heroin and crack cocaine users in Britain are in receipt of working-age benefits. Research has recently been commissioned to assess the prevalence of alcohol misuse in the benefit system.

HEALTH

Carers: Expenditure

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of how much of the 150 million allocated to primary care trusts for the purposes of carers' breaks and respite care has been spent on such assistance for carers.

Phil Hope: Primary care trust (PCT) expenditure on carers' breaks and respite care is not collected centrally. The actual level of spend in each year is for PCTs to decide locally in the light of their local circumstances, and priorities as set out in the NHS Operating Framework and Vital Signs.

Community Care: Elderly

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the forthcoming social care Green Paper will contain proposals to assist older people to live independently at home through housing adaptations.

Phil Hope: The Government recognise the importance of a diverse range of housing support being available and that this helps people live independently within their own homes.
	The forthcoming care and support Green Paper will lay out a series of options around reforming the care and support system, to ensure that care is high quality and cost-effective; that people have choice and control over the care they receive and that the funding system is fair, sustainable, and affordable for individuals and the state. The detail of the Green Paper will be revealed when it is published later this month.

Dental Services: Per Capita Costs

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much each primary care trust has spent per capita of the population it serves on the provision of NHS dental services in each of the last five years.

Ann Keen: The NHS Information Centre for health and social care published the following report on 26 March 2008: NHS Expenditure for General Dental Services and Personal Dental Services: England 1997/982005/06. This report has been placed in the Library and is also available on the NHS Information Centre website at:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/dentalexpend1997to2006
	The report includes information on primary dental care expenditure per population by primary care trust (PCT) for 1997-98 to 2005-06 in tables A2 and B2 of annex 3. table A2 relates to 'gross' expenditure and table B2 relates to 'net' expenditure. 'Gross' expenditure refers to the full cost of the payments recorded; 'net' expenditure reflects the cost of these payments to the NHS after the deduction of income from NHS dental charges paid by patients.
	This information is based on the old contractual arrangements which were in place up to and including 31 March 2006. Further notes to aid interpretation of the information are shown in the 'Contents and Notes' page of annex 3.
	Data on primary dental care expenditure in 2006-07 and 2007-08 can be extracted from the notes of PCT accounts (accounts data for 2008-09 are not yet available) and per capita expenditure calculated. The data reflect the new contract framework for primary dental care services introduced from 1 April 2006, and incorporate additional service costs such as the employers' superannuation contributions payable on behalf of primary care dentists. They also reflect the revised PCT structures introduced from 1 October 2006. The new data series is therefore not fully comparable with the pre-2006 data provided in the NHS Information Centre report. Information on the gross and net expenditure per capita for each primary care trust in England is set out in a table which has also been placed in the Library.
	As patients may attend dentists at any locality of their choice, the level of service provision in a PCT may not be directly related to the size of its resident population.

Depressive Illnesses

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with which organisations he has discussed the draft National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence clinical guidelines for psychotherapy treatments of depression.

Ann Keen: We have had no discussions with any organisation regarding the draft National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence clinical guideline on the treatment and management of depression in adults.
	The Department is a stakeholder in the development of this guideline and has responded to the recent consultation on the draft guidance.

Epilepsy

Chris McCafferty: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of the number of patients with suspected epilepsy who died between first presentation and first appointment with a specialist in the latest period for which figures are available.

Ann Keen: We have made no estimate of the number of patients with suspected epilepsy who died between first presentation and first appointment with a specialist.

Epilepsy

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people  (a) in total and  (b) under the age of 25 incurred serious injuries where epilepsy was a contributing factor in each of the last five years.

Ann Keen: Information on the number of people seriously injured, where epilepsy was a contributing factor, is not collected centrally.

Epilepsy

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding has been provided to organisations in Leicester for  (a) research into and  (b) treatment of epilepsy in each of the last five years.

Ann Keen: This information is not held centrally. The Department does not collect the data that would be needed to identify what part of the research and development funding allocated to organisations in Leicester has been spent in support of research into epilepsy.
	Funding for the treatment of epilepsy is part of the general funding allocation given to primary care trusts (PCTs) and therefore cannot be identified. This information can be acquired from PCTs directly.

Health Services: Conditions of Employment

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultation with  (a) all staff and  (b) trade unions has taken place in primary care trusts on the transfer of community services; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: There were two meetings nationally with the trades union representatives of national health service staff about the Transforming Community Services: Enabling new patterns of provision guidance, which was published in January 2009. A copy has been placed in the Library. These meetings were held on 18 November and 8 December 2008, and comments and contributions from those present influenced significantly the content of the final guidance. The union representatives were a sub-group of members of the Social Partnership Forum, and they discussed the potential implications for NHS staff. NHS clinical staff and trade union representatives are also members of the board for the Transforming Community Services programme.
	The six transformational practice guides (written principally for clinical team leaders), which are due to be published in June 2009, have also been co-produced with NHS staff.

Hospital Wards: Gender

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 5 May 2009,  Official Report, columns 107-08W, on hospital wards, how much funding had been allocated to each project in each strategic health authority on the latest date for which figures are available.

Ann Keen: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave him on 5 May 2009,  Official Report, columns 107-08W.
	Copies of the strategic health authority (SHA) plans regarding schemes for the Privacy and Dignity Expenditure have already been placed in the Library. Information is not available to confirm the funding for each individual project. However each SHA will be required to submit a report in early July confirming the delivery of their plans. These will also be made available in the Library once received.

Hospitals: Bristol

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his most recent estimate is of the cost of the project to build a new hospital on the Southmead Hospital site; how much will be paid to the preferred contractor in advance of the commencement of construction work; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: The capital value of the new private finance initiative (PFI) hospital development is 430 million. The appointment of preferred bidder business case on the scheme, currently being considered by the Department, includes a proposal for a payment from the trust to the contractor of 7.6 million in advance of financial close. This is for enabling works to have the development site ready for construction of the new hospital.
	Additional development works are already under way on the trust site under a separate public capital funded contract.

Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill

John Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he plans to issue to local authorities on carrying out their proposed duties under Clause 2 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill.

Ann Keen: Subject to parliamentary approval, the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) will issue statutory guidance for local authorities to clarify their roles and responsibilities under the duty to promote democracy, including the requirements on them in respect of various national health service bodies. We will work with our colleagues in DCLG in the development of the guidance which will be the subject of consultation before publication.

Lung Cancer

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many lung cancer patients in each  (a) cancer network and  (b) strategic health authority area received (i) surgical resection, (ii) chemotherapy, (iii) radiotherapy and (iv) any active anti-cancer treatment in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: This information is not held centrally.

Lyme Disease

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what recent advice on Lyme disease his Department has received from the National Expert Panel on New and Emerging Infections; and at what date such advice was received;
	(2)  what recent advice on Lyme disease his Department has received from the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens; and at what date such advice was received.

Ann Keen: The National Expert Panel on New and Emerging Infections (NEPNEI) concluded, in November 2004, that Lyme disease was the most significant public health vector-borne disease in the United Kingdom. The Panel considered incidence and detection of disease in the UK and modes of transmission.
	In 2006, the Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, asked Professor Brian Duerden, the Inspector of Microbiology and an assessor member of both NEPNEI and the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP), to conduct an investigation into the use of unvalidated tests in the diagnosis of Lyme disease. His report The use of unorthodox and unvalidated laboratory tests in the diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis and in relation to medically unexplained symptoms, has been placed in the Library.
	Since then, the Department has received regular advice on Lyme disease from Professor Duerden, the latest of which was in February 2009, confirming that the current guidance for clinicians on the detection, diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease as published by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) is entirely appropriate for the management of Lyme disease in the UK. Advice was also received confirming that only validated tests that conform to the internationally agreed criteria for the diagnosis of Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent for Lyme disease, should be used for the diagnosis of Lyme disease. This advice is consistent with that on the HPA's website.
	The HPA is also represented on both NEPNEI and ACDP.

Memory Clinics

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many memory clinics for dementia sufferers have been established  (a) in England and  (b) in Gloucestershire in each of the last five years.

Phil Hope: The information requested on the number of memory clinics for dementia sufferers established nationally and in Gloucestershire in each of the last five years is not collected centrally. It is for primary care trusts to decide on the number and location of memory clinics depending on local circumstances.

Mental Health Services

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to facilitate the provision by primary care trusts of single sex wards in psychiatric units; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: Men and women should not share sleeping accommodation, bedrooms or bed bays, or sanitary provision on mental health units. Effective gender separation can be provided in single sex wards or on mixed sex wards. Currently, 70 per cent. of sleeping accommodation in the mental health estate is in single rooms.
	In January 2009, the Department announced a package of measures designed to help hospitals all but eliminate mixed-sex accommodation, the Same-sex accommodation: your privacy, our responsibility campaign. This includes:
	a 100 million Privacy and Dignity Fund to support improvements and adjustments to hospital accommodation;
	providing good practice information and guidance to trusts;
	sending an improvement team to hospitals that need extra support; and
	introducing rigorous and transparent performance measures.
	Primary care trusts are required to work with local providers, including mental health trusts, to deliver substantial and meaningful reductions in the number of service users that report sharing sleeping or sanitary accommodation with members of the opposite sex and to increase the provision of women-only day space in mental health units.
	Guidance on achieving effective gender separation on mental health units has been published in the Institute for Innovation and Improvements guide on mixed sex accommodation and in the mental health capital project commissioning guide Laying the Foundations.

Mental Health Services: Hospital Beds

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dedicated in-patient beds for mental health patients there are in each NHS primary care trust area in England.

Phil Hope: We do not collect the exact data requested centrally. However, the following table shows mental health in-patient beds in each provider trust, a number of which will be primary care trusts.
	
		
			  Average daily number of beds by ward classification mental illness, NHS organisations in England, 2007-08 
			   Org ID  Name  Total 
			 2007-08  England 26,406 
			 
			 2007-08 RR7 Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust 76 
			 2007-08 RX4 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust 993 
			 2007-08 RTF Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust 74 
			 2007-08 RX3 Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust 809 
			 2007-08 RTV 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust 347 
			 2007-08 RXV Bolton, Salford and Trafford Mental Health NHS Trust 619 
			 2007-08 RXA Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Trust 329 
			 2007-08 RW5 Lancashire Care NHS Trust 810 
			 2007-08 TAE Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust 292 
			 2007-08 RW4 Mersey Care NHS Trust 444 
			 2007-08 RNN North Cumbria Mental Health and Learning Disabilities NHS Trust 190 
			 2007-08 RT2 Pennine Care NHS Trust 510 
			 2007-08 5JE Barnsley PCT 78 
			 2007-08 TAD Bradford District Care Trust 279 
			 2007-08 RXE Doncaster and South Humber Healthcare NHS Trust 332 
			 2007-08 RV9 Humber Mental Health Teaching NHS Trust 203 
			 2007-08 RGD Leeds Mental Health Teaching NHS Trust 345 
			 2007-08 TAN North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus 34 
			 2007-08 5EF North Lincolnshire PCT 55 
			 2007-08 5NV North Yorkshire and York PCT 303 
			 2007-08 TAH Sheffield Care Trust 273 
			 2007-08 RXG South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust 417 
			 2007-08 RXM Derbyshire Mental Health Services NHS Trust 346 
			 2007-08 RT5 Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust 434 
			 2007-08 RP7 Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Trust 221 
			 2007-08 RP1 Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Trust 238 
			 2007-08 RHA Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust 1,079 
			 2007-08 RXT Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Trust 797 
			 2007-08 RYG Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust 345 
			 2007-08 5PE Dudley PCT 127 
			 2007-08 5CN Herefordshire PCT 76 
			 2007-08 RLY North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust 245 
			 2007-08 TAJ Sandwell Mental Health NHS and Social Care Trust 150 
			 2007-08 RRE South Staffordshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust 422 
			 2007-08 5M3 Walsall Teaching PCT 118 
			 2007-08 5MV Wolverhampton City PCT 76 
			 2007-08 RWQ Worcestershire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust 202 
			 2007-08 RV7 Bedfordshire and Luton Mental Health and Social Care NHS Trust 257 
			 2007-08 RT1 Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust 319 
			 2007-08 RWR Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Trust 444 
			 2007-08 RMY Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust 453 
			 2007-08 RRD North Essex Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust 387 
			 2007-08 RWN South Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust 511 
			 2007-08 RT6 Suffolk Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust 202 
			 2007-08 RRP Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust 619 
			 2007-08 TAF Camden and Islington Mental Health And Social Care Trust 377 
			 2007-08 RV3 Central and North West London Mental Health NHS Trust 734 
			 2007-08 RWK East London and The City Mental Health NHS Trust 655 
			 2007-08 RAT North East London Mental Health NHS Trust 416 
			 2007-08 RPG Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust 484 
			 2007-08 RV5 South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust 1,084 
			 2007-08 RQY South West London and St. George's Mental Health NHS Trust 706 
			 2007-08 RRV University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 10 
			 2007-08 RKL West London Mental Health NHS Trust 596 
			 2007-08 RXY Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust 602 
			 2007-08 RXX Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust 432 
			 2007-08 RX2 Sussex Partnership NHS Trust 701 
			 2007-08 RWX Berkshire Healthcare NHS Trust 245 
			 2007-08 RW1 Hampshire Partnership NHS Trust 577 
			 2007-08 5QT Isle of Wight NHS PCT 70 
			 2007-08 5CQ Milton Keynes PCT 64 
			 2007-08 RNU Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust 430 
			 2007-08 5FE Portsmouth City Teaching PCT 159 
			 2007-08 RVN Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust 729 
			 2007-08 RJ8 Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust 162 
			 2007-08 RWV Devon Partnership NHS Trust 341 
			 2007-08 5QQ Devon PCT 15 
			 2007-08 RDY Dorset Healthcare NHS Trust 290 
			 2007-08 5QM Dorset PCT 123 
			 2007-08 RTQ Gloucestershire Partnership NHS Trust 184 
			 2007-08 RVJ North Bristol NHS Trust 20 
			 2007-08 5F1 Plymouth Teaching PCT 117 
			 2007-08 RH5 Somerset Partnership NHS and Social Care Trust 205 
			  Source: The Department of Health form KH03

Myasthenia Gravis

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time for treatment for patients diagnosed with myasthenia gravis was in the latest period for which figures are available.

Ann Keen: Data on the average waiting time for treatment for those diagnosed with myasthenia gravis are not collected centrally.

Organs

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the Human Tissue Authority to publish its report on human tissue legislation and the regulation of tissue-based research.

Ann Keen: We understand from the Human Tissue Authority that the findings will be published later in the year.

Organs

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many primary care trusts include on surgery consent forms an option for patients to consent to the storage and use of their tissue for research purposes.

Ann Keen: This information is not collected by the Department.

TREASURY

Equitable Life Assurance Society: Compensation

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what budget has been allocated to Sir John Chadwick's office for its review of the payment of compensation to Equitable Life policy-holders;
	(2)  how many staff have been employed for the purposes of Sir John Chadwick's review of the payment of compensation to Equitable Life policy-holders;
	(3)  what the salary is of each member of staff employed for the purposes of Sir John Chadwick's review of the payment of compensation to Equitable Life policy-holders;
	(4)  which agency was used to recruit staff for the purposes of Sir John Chadwick's review of the payment of compensation to Equitable Life policy-holders.

Ian Pearson: The Government are committed to giving Sir John Chadwick all the support he needs. He is currently assisted by a core team of three staff in his office: counsel, private secretary and administrative support, and his team will be joined shortly by professional actuarial advisers. The Treasury keeps Sir John's resource requirements under review and will fund any additional staff for his office he believes necessary to meet his terms of reference in a timely way.
	No agency was used. Sir John is responsible for recruiting his staff and services, using a competitive procurement process to buy the services. The salaries of each member of the team constitute personal data and release of this data would breach the Data Protection Act 1998 as it would disclose personal financial information without public interest justification.

Gold and Foreign Exchange Reserves

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes in the UK's holding of currency reserves there have been in each year since 1997.

Ian Pearson: It is not possible to provide a consistent series for the official reserves before 1999, given changes in accounting methodology. Back data for the UK's official reserves prior to 1999 can be found on the ONS publication, Economic Trends Annual Supplement No. 32 2006 edition.
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_economy/ETSupp2006.pdf
	Detailed historical data for the official reserves on a consistent basis from July 1999 can be found on the Bank of England website:
	http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/statistics/reserves/index.htm

Gold and Foreign Exchange Reserves

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what gold reserves the Government hold.

Ian Pearson: This information can be found at:
	http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/statistics/reserves/Tempoutput.pdf

Housing: Sales

Grant Shapps: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many responses his Department received to its consultation on regulation of the sale and rent back market; and by what date he expects to determine steps to be taken as a result of that consultation;
	(2)  what steps he plans to take to increase the level of consumer protection in the sale and rent back market;
	(3)  when he expects a new framework for the regulation of the sale and rent back market to be implemented; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  if he will extend the remit of the Financial Services Authority to regulate sale and rent back agreements.

Ian Pearson: On 2 June 2009, the Government laid before Parliament secondary legislation to extend the scope of Financial Services Authority (FSA) regulation to include sale and rent back agreements, and published, Regulating the sale and rent back market: summary of responses to consultation, available at:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/consult_sale_rent.htm

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to reply to the letter of 10 March 2009 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton on Mrs E. Flint.

Ian Pearson: A reply has been sent to the right hon. Member.

Revenue and Customs

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the tax department of HM Revenue and Customs uses auditable systems to record the date on which correspondence is received.

Stephen Timms: Correspondence received by HM Revenue and Customs on paper is manually stamped with the date the letter was received and the name of the receiving office. For correspondence which is scanned the date of receipt is recorded electronically. E-mails and faxes have the date of receipt automatically recorded.

Revenue and Customs: Debt Collection

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what rights of entry debt collectors acting on behalf of HM Revenue and Customs have.

Stephen Timms: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have no right of forced entry for debt recovery work without a court order. HMRC's current small scale six month pilot to test the use of private debt collection agencies does not involve face to face contact or visits to home or business premises.

Taxation

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost to the public purse  (a) in total and  (b) per 1,000 of revenue collected was of the administration of (i) value added tax, (ii) income tax and (iii) tax revenue raised by local authorities.

Stephen Timms: The figures are in the following table:
	
		
			   (a) Total cost of administration 2007-08 (000)  (b) Cost per thousand of revenue collected 2007-08 () 
			 (i) Value Added Tax 451,055 5.55 
			
			 (ii) Income Tax 1,754,362 11.58 
			
			 (iii) English local authority revenues(1)   
			 Council tax 484,000 20.20 
			 National non domestic rates 99,000 5.40 
			 (1) Information relates to England only, and can be found in the Local Government Financial Statistics volume 19, at: http://www.cornmunities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/statistics/financialstatistics192009 
		
	
	Revenue raised by local authorities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the respective devolved administrations.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Allotments

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans she has to encourage the development of more allotments; what guidance she has provided to local authorities on this issue; and what research her Department has undertaken into the potential contribution of allotments to local food chains and sustainable community agriculture.

John Healey: At a meeting between my noble Friend Baroness Andrews and allotment policy stakeholders on 20 February 2009, it was agreed that the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens should be commissioned to update the Local Government Association (LGA) publication Growing in the Community and that this should be made available online, to ensure that it reaches a wider audience. Growing in the Community is a good practice guide for local authority allotment officers, which assists them in their statutory duty to provide allotments. A free copy was sent to all local authorities following its revision in March 2008 and it is available on request from the LGA.
	In respect of research into the potential contribution of allotments, my officials have started discussions with DEFRA about jointly commissioning research to identify and collect evidence on how communities can be engaged and empowered to realise the benefits of urban green spaces (including allotments), which align with key Government priorities.

Departmental Film

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many films her Department has produced in  (a) video,  (b) DVD and  (c) digital formats in the last 12 months; and what the (i) title and (ii) purpose was of each film.

Sadiq Khan: The Department does not maintain a central record of films produced. A range of short films produced in digital format during the period specified have been published on the Department's YouTube channel at:
	www.youtube.com/user/CommunitiesUK
	In addition, the Department's Communication Directorate has produced one internal film, entitled Making it Happen, in a digital format for the purpose of introducing departmental values to staff.

Departmental Legal Costs

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what legal costs were incurred in the Court of Appeal by  (a) her Department,  (b) the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority and  (c) the Board of Medical Referees in defending the appeals brought by Martin Marrion, Neil Burke and Andrew Scott, case number C1/2008/1332.

Sadiq Khan: The legal costs incurred by the Department amounted to 43,930. These included the cost of representing the Board of Medical Referees. Any costs incurred by the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority are a matter for the authority.
	The Department will also pay the appellants' reasonable costs in the Court of Appeal as are agreed or, if not, following a detailed assessment.

Departmental Marketing

Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much has been spent by her Department on advertising in weekly and regional newspapers in each of the last five years.

Sadiq Khan: The Department buys advertising space via the central contracts operated by the Central Office of Information. They have confirmed that the Department spent 405,165 in total on regional press advertising through the COI last year, 1,184,904 in total in 2007-08 and 646,826 in total in 2006-07.
	COI do not hold records of any such spend by CLG's predecessor Departments in the period requested.

Departmental Publications

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  how many editions of her Department's We Can publication have been produced; to whom her Department distributes that publication; and how many copies have been distributed in each of the last four quarters;
	(2)  how many staff were employed to produce her Department's We Can publication; what the job title is of each such member of staff; and how much has been spent on staff salaries for those staff in each of the last three years;
	(3)  how many copies of each edition of her Department's We Can publication have been printed; and what the cost of  (a) publishing and  (b) printing the publication has been in each of the last three years;
	(4)  what budget has been allocated to her Department's Local Democracy and Participation Directorate for production of the We Can document in each of the last three years; and if she will make a statement.

Sadiq Khan: In the last four quarters we have produced three editions of WeCan! The publication is distributed to 1,350 subscribers comprising local authorities (county, district and parish levels), third sector and voluntary organisations, Government Departments, housing, police and health organisations and tenant associations, think tanks, charities, minority representative groups, university departments, NHS trusts and community groups. In each quarter 1,350 print copies were distributed to subscribers with the remainder provided for internal staff, partner organisations and for distribution at conferences and events.
	There is no dedicated member of staff working on the WeCan! publication, it is part of one person's wider job remit.
	In 2006-07 three editions were produced and 2,000 copies were printed per edition. In 2007-08 two editions were produced and 3,000 copies were printed for each edition and in 2008-09 three editions were produced and 3,000 copies were printed for each edition. The total publishing and printing costs for these were 21,000 in 2006-07, 17,000 in 2007-08 and 38,000 in 2008-09.
	The funding for meeting these costs was allocated to the local democracy and participation directorate for the production of the WeCan! publication in each of the last three years.

Departmental Security

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many breaches of security have been reported at  (a) the Fire Service College,  (b) Ordnance Survey,  (c) the Planning Inspectorate and  (d) the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in the last five years; and what procedures each agency follows when a breach of security involves the disclosure of personal data.

Sadiq Khan: In the last five years there have been eight breaches of security. These are:
	
		
			   Security breaches 
			 Fire Service College 6 
			 Ordnance Survey 2 
			 Planning Inspectorate 0 
			 QE2 conference centre 0 
		
	
	The Department and its agencies report all significant personal data security breaches to the Cabinet Office and the Information Commissioner's Office. Information on personal data security breaches is published on an annual basis in the Department's annual resources accounts as was announced in the data handling review published on 25 June 2008.
	Additionally, all significant control weaknesses including other significant security breaches are included in the statement of internal control which is published within the annual resource accounts.

Departmental Training

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the title is of each course run by the National School of Government that members of her Department have attended in the last 18 months.

Sadiq Khan: The information has been deposited in the Library of the House.

Economic and Monetary Union

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what activities have been undertaken by her Department's Euro Minister in that capacity.

Sadiq Khan: Euro Ministers are responsible for euro preparations in their department and attend Euro Ministers Steering Group meetings. Meetings are held only when necessary to discuss practical preparations to ensure a smooth changeover.

Eco-Towns: Publicity

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman) of 8 May 2009,  Official Report, columns 442-43W, on eco-towns: publicity, what the cost to the public purse was of work undertaken by each of the four marketing agencies; and what work each such agency undertook in relation to eco-towns for her Department.

Sadiq Khan: The cost and work of the four agencies referred to by the hon. Member is as follows:
	
		
			  Company  Work commissioned  Cost () 
			 Redhouse Lane Design work 49,996 
			 Skyline Whitespace Exhibitions 7,870 
			 Transmedia Website transcription 200 
			 Louise Burston Photography 1,006

Fires

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many domestic fires involving  (a) pushchairs and  (b) car seats suitable for infants from birth to six months old have been reported in each year since 1980.

Sadiq Khan: The item first ignited is recorded in the statistical reporting of fire incidents. Pushchairs and infant car seats would both be recorded in the category 'other'. Consequently statistics on the incidence of such fires cannot be derived.

HomeBuy Scheme

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether her Department owns the  (a) trademark,  (b) copyright and  (c) patent for the HomeBuy brand.

John Healey: The Department commissioned the design of the current HomeBuy brand logo mark through the Central Office of Information, who assigned the advertising agency Chick Smith Trott under standard COI terms and conditions. Under these terms the intellectual property and copyright in the design transfers to the Crown.

Housing: Energy

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many homes classified as energy-efficient have been built in  (a) West Chelmsford constituency,  (b) Essex and  (c) England in the last five years.

John Healey: All new homes built in England in the last five years have been required to meet the energy efficiency standards set out in part L of the Building Regulations. Part L standard for new homes was raised by 25 per cent. in 2002 and by a further 20 per cent. in 2006. This requirement will progressively increase leading up to the target for all new homes to be zero carbon from 2016.

Housing: Expenditure

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much has been spent from the public purse on additional housing stock in each year since 1980.

John Healey: Information on public expenditure on housing and community amenities, including on housing development, is available in the Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis 2008 (PESA)
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/pespub_pesa08.htm
	published by HM Treasury. Spending by my Department on housing in England is also set out in the Department's published annual reports. Further analysis to disaggregate the element to support the construction of new housing stock, could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Within Communities and Local Government, the Affordable Housing programme is the primary route for funding the construction of new affordable housing in England; this is now delivered by the Homes and Communities Agency. Figures for allocations made through the Affordable Housing programme specifically for new affordable housing provision, are only readily available from 1999-2000 and are shown in the table: figures further back than that could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			   Total ( million) 
			 1999-2000 417 
			 2000-01 493 
			 2001-02 652 
			 2002-03 800 
			 2003-04 1,387 
			 2004-05 1,639 
			 2005-06 1,316 
			 2006-07 2,092 
			 2007-08 2,068 
			 2008-09 2,587

Housing: Floods

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which local authorities provide home improvement grants and loans for flood resistance and resilience products.

John Healey: This information is not held centrally. The Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002 gives local authorities wide powers to provide assistance for repairs, improvements, adaptations and to demolish and re-construct homes. Local authorities must have policies in place setting out how they will use these powers and they must make summaries of their policy available. If they wish to use the funding attached to this for flood resilience measures they can do so without specific instruction.
	DEFRA has provided funding for LAs to assist home owners to protect their homes from flooding through the property level flood protection grant scheme.

Housing: Low Incomes

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many new tenancies were initiated under the Rent to Homebuy scheme in 2008-09; and how many have been initiated in 2009-10 to date.

John Healey: Data on the number of new tenancies initiated under the Rent to HomeBuy scheme are not held centrally.
	Under Rent to HomeBuy prospective purchasers rent a home for up to five years with the opportunity to buy on shared ownership terms during or at the end of this period.
	When the tenant subsequently buys an initial share in due course, this information will be recorded on CORE (continuous recording) sales returns from registered social landlords to the Tenant Services Authority.

Housing: Low Incomes

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much funding  (a) her Department,  (b) the Homes and Communities Agency and its predecessor bodies and  (c) the Tenant Services Authority has provided in respect of the Rent to Homebuy scheme since its inception.

John Healey: I refer the hon. Member to the answers my right hon. Friend the Member for Derby, South (Margaret Beckett) gave to him on 6 May 2009,  Official Report, column 244W, 19 May 2009,  Official Report, column 1357W, and 21 May 2009,  Official Report, columns 1540W and 1546W respectively.
	The Tenants Services Authority has not provided any funding to the Rent to HomeBuy scheme. All investment in this scheme by Communities and Local Government has been directed through the Homes and Communities Agency.

Housing: Regeneration

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 19 May 2009,  Official Report, columns 1357-58W, on housing: regeneration, what the  (a) date and  (b) venue of each event was; how many participants there were at each; and what costs were incurred in each budgetary category in respect of each event.

John Healey: The date, venue and number of attendees for each event are set out in the table.
	
		
			   Region  Location  Attendees 
			 3 September Nationalfor corporate/professional bodies British Library, London 83 
			 11 September South West Thistle Hotel, Exeter 134 
			 19 September Yorkshire and Humber Royal Armouries, Leeds 162 
			 26 September North West Kings Waterfront, Liverpool 162 
			 1 October South East Mandolay Hotel, Guildford 124 
			 10 October London British Library, London 195 
			 15 October East of England Homerton College, Cambridge 91 
			 22 October West Midlands ICC, Birmingham 228 
			 30 October North East Baltic Mill, Gateshead 132 
			 5 November East Midlands Pera, Melton Mowbray 168 
		
	
	In addition, there were a further 54 attendees who came to events without having advised their attendance in advance. While a record of the number of these attendees exists, there is no record of which particular events they attended. Taken with those in the table above, this gives a total of 1,533 attendees.
	The total cost for all 10 of the above events was 141,923.15. This included venue hire, audio-visual equipment, catering, branding and display materials, and support from an event management company. It is not possible to disaggregate these items into each budgetary category in respect of each event other than at disproportionate cost, as some items were based on a fee for all 10 events.

Local Government: Official Cars

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will make it her policy to encourage local authorities to buy British-made cars for official use.

Sadiq Khan: Subject to their legal duties, including European procurement law and the duty of best value, local authorities are responsible for taking their own procurement decisions.

Mortgages: Government Assistance

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many information leaflets have been produced for the  (a) Homeowners Mortgage Support and  (b) Mortgage Rescue Scheme; and how much has been spent on producing such leaflets.

John Healey: Consumer information leaflets for the Mortgage Rescue Scheme and Homeowners Mortgage Support have been designed and produced at a cost of 9,000 for both leaflets. Hard copies are provided in response to requests from delivery partners and the Homeowners Mortgage Support leaflet is available to interested households and delivery partners electronically.

Mortgages: Government Assistance

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when her Department plans to begin its publication of statistics on take-up of the Homeowners Mortgage Support scheme.

John Healey: Official figures on numbers of households entering the Homeowners Mortgage Support Scheme will be published later this year.

Mortgages: Government Assistance

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when  (a) HSBC,  (b) Barclays,  (c) Alliance and Leicester,  (d) Abbey and  (e) Nationwide began to offer comparable arrangements to the Homeowners Mortgage Support Scheme to their customers.

John Healey: HSBC, Barclays, Alliance and Leicester, Abbey and Nationwide have been offering their customers comparable arrangements to the Homeowners Mortgage Support Scheme, while opting not to take up the Government guarantee, since their commitment to do so in the press notice published by Communities and Local Government on 21 April 2009.
	The press notice is available at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1205071

Mortgages: Government Assistance

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when  (a) the Bank of Ireland,  (b) GE Money,  (c) GMAC,  (d) Kensington Mortgages,  (e) the Post Office and  (f) Standard Life Bank began to offer customers assistance under the Homeowners Mortgage Support Scheme.

John Healey: Standard Life Bank formally joined the Homeowners Mortgage Support Scheme on Wednesday 20 May 2009. The Government continue to work closely with the Bank of Ireland, GE Money, GMAC, Kensington Mortgages and the Post Office, all of whom are committed to join the scheme, to ensure that they are in a position to offer the Homeowners Mortgage Support Scheme as soon as possible.

Non-domestic Rates

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  whether under the business rates deferral scheme local authorities will be required to issue a business with a rebate in cases where that business had already paid more than 40 per cent. of its 2009-10 rates liability at the time the deferral scheme became operational;
	(2)  whether under the business rates deferral scheme a business will be able to defer  (a) a maximum of 60 per cent. of its 2009-10 business rate liability and  (b) 60 per cent. of the amount of liability that remains unpaid at the time the deferral scheme became operational.

John Healey: As announced on 31 March 2009 and confirmed at Budget, the Government will enable business rate payers to defer payment of 60 per cent. of the annual RPI inflation increase in their 2009-10 business rates bills until 2010-11 and 2011-12. Ratepayers occupying property that received transitional relief in 2008-09 will in addition be able to defer payment of 60 per cent. of the increase in their 2009-10 rates bills due to the end of the 2005 transitional relief scheme.
	The Government do not have the power to make the regulations that will implement the scheme apply retrospectively. So where a ratepayer has, for whatever reason, already paid their full liability for 2009-10 under the existing legislative scheme, the billing authority will not be able to grant the ratepayer a deferral and give the ratepayer a refund. However, all ratepayers with enough outstanding 2009-10 rates liabilities will be able to defer the amounts set out above, which will be deducted from their remaining 2009-10 instalment payments. Those whose outstanding rates liability is less than the amount they can defer will be able to defer whatever is remaining of their 2009-10 liability.

Non-domestic Rates

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 1 June 2009,  Official Report, column 202W, on Local Government Finance Act 1988, 
	(1)  whether she expects July 2009 to be the first billing month for companies using the business rates deferral scheme; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  how many weeks after the coming into force of regulations implementing the business rates deferral scheme she expects local authorities to take to  (a) inform businesses of the deferral option,  (b) process requests for deferrals and  (c) begin issuing rates bills that incorporate any requested deferral;
	(3)  what recent guidance her Department has issued to local authorities on the time between coming into force of regulations in respect of the business rate deferral scheme and the issuing to businesses of revised bills.

John Healey: As announced on 31 March 2009, the Government are planning to bring regulations implementing the business rates deferral scheme into force by the end of July.
	Further details on the timetable for implementation and the availability of the scheme to ratepayers are described in the business rate information letter issued on 5 June 2009. This letter, which was sent to all billing authorities in England, can be accessed at:
	http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/busratsl.htm
	I have placed a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.

Non-domestic Rates

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 1 June 2009,  Official Report, column 203W, on non-domestic rates, whether the full funding by her Department of costs incurred by local authorities in administering the business rates deferral scheme is taken into account in the 2009-10 budget for her Department, as outlined in Table C11 on page 241 of the 2009 Budget Red Book.

John Healey: The figures cited in Table C11 of the 2009 Financial Statement and Budget Report setting out the Departmental Expenditure Limits for Communities and Local Government cover costs associated with implementing deferral of business rate payments.
	Any net additional costs to local government as a whole arising from the business rates deferral scheme will be fully funded under the new burdens principle.

Official Hospitality

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman) of 7 May 2009,  Official Report, column 397W, on official hospitality, 
	(1)  if she will make it her policy to publish declarations of  (a) interest and  (b) gifts and hospitality made by her Department's special advisers;
	(2)  what financial thresholds trigger requirements for her Department's special advisers to make a declaration of  (a) interest and  (b) gifts and hospitality.

Sadiq Khan: Civil servants may not accept gifts, other than in very limited circumstances. Where a gift is accepted, departmental procedures require that details of all gifts, other than items such as diaries, calendars or other small items of modest value bearing a company's name or insignia, must be declared in writing.
	All hospitality received by staff, with the exception of light refreshments and meals provided in the course of normal departmental business must also be declared in writing. Government publish information on hospitality received by departmental board members. A copy of the published board hospitality report can be found in the Library of the House, and on the Cabinet Office website at:
	www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/propriety_and_ethics/publications.aspx
	In accordance with the requirements of the Civil Service Management Code, civil servants, including special advisers, must declare any business interests which they would be able to further as a result of their official position.

Smoke Alarms

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of the effect of rates of adoption of domestic smoke alarms between 1988 and 2000 on the rates of death from domestic fires in that period.

Sadiq Khan: Smoke alarms are not designed to prevent fires. It is therefore not possible to make a causal link between the number of dwelling fires and smoke alarm ownership. The alarms are designed to alert people to the presence of a fire and thereby prevent deaths and injuries.
	The percentage of households with a smoke alarm increased from 8 per cent. in 1988 to 83 per cent. in 2000. There were 64,200 primary dwelling fires in 1988. By 2000 the number of primary dwelling fires had increased to 70,900. However, the number of deaths in accidental dwelling fires fell from 661 in 1988 to 397 in 2000.

Travelling People: Caravan Sites

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many Travellers' caravans on unauthorised sites without planning permission in England, were  (a) tolerated and  (b) not tolerated on land (i) owned by the Travellers and (ii) not owned by the Travellers, in (A) January and (B) July in each year since 2000.

Iain Wright: The count of Gypsy and Traveller caravans, carried out in January and July each year, and published on the website of Communities and Local Government, provides details of the number of authorised and unauthorised Gypsy and Traveller caravan sites. It provides the following breakdown for the period January 2000 to January 2009:
	
		
			   Unauthorised sites (without planning permission) 
			  Count Period  Number of caravans on sites on Gypsies' own land  Number of caravans on sites on land not owned by Gypsies 
			   Tolerated  Not tolerated  Tolerated  Not tolerated 
			 January 2009 1,279 1,086 770 545 
			 July 2008 1,224 1,016 725 971 
			 January 2008 1,054 1,233 687 823 
			 July 2007 992 1,112 572 1,316 
			 January 2007 997 1,255 491 795 
			 July 2006 964 1,258 589 1,183 
			 January 2006 714 1,440 438 680 
			 July 2005 630 1,342 673 1,422 
			 January 2005 704 1,563 513 778 
			 July 2004 530 1,325 593 1,816 
			 January 2004 610 1,367 573 1,021 
			 July 2003 451 1,213 652 1,663 
			 January 2003 505 903 539 1,081 
			 July 2002 439 799 458 1,803 
			 January 2002 533 604 615 1,022 
			 July 2001 417 547 487 1,895 
			 January 2001 458 507 379 1,259 
			 July 2000 364 439 486 2,027 
			 January 2000 299 429 684 1,104

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Afghanistan: Overseas Aid

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much was allocated to the United Nations Development Programme by his Department for use in Afghanistan in each of the last five years; and what criteria there were for the allocation of such funds.

Michael Foster: The Department for International Development's (DFID) allocation of its bilateral programme through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for use in Afghanistan in the last five years is listed as follows:
	
		
			
			 2004-05 10,200,000 
			 2005-06 5,100,000 
			 2006-07 27,633,000 
			 2007-08 19,958,000 
			 2008-09 16,000,000 
		
	
	DFID contracts are tendered and awarded in accordance with DFID's procurement guidance, drawn up in line with the EU Public Procurement Directive.

Burma: Overseas Aid

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what consideration the Government have given to further measures to deliver aid to the Irrawaddy Delta region of Burma following Cyclone Nargis.

Michael Foster: In March the UK Government committed an additional 20 million to Burma over two years, increasing the Department for International Development's aid programme to 25 million in 2009-10 and 28 million in 2010-11. Approximately 60 per cent. of this additional funding will be allocated to further relief following Cyclone Nargis. No UK aid is delivered though the Government of Burma.

Departmental Billing

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department paid in interest to suppliers under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 in the last three years for which figures are available.

Douglas Alexander: Details of the Department for International Development's (DFID) payments under the Late Payments of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 are published in the DFID Resource Accounts, which are available online at:
	http://www.dfid.gov.uk

Departmental Finance

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer to Lord Jones of Cheltenham of 11 May 2009,  Official Report, House of Lords, column WA159, on the Department for International Development: Comprehensive Spending Review, and with reference to page 40 paragraph 10.7 of the April 2009 Value for Money Update, what amount of value for money savings has been made by his Department as a result of sharing offices with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in each country where such office-sharing arrangements exist.

Michael Foster: Co-locating and sharing offices with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), where practical and feasible, can provide certain opportunities to reduce costs and to improve the effectiveness of our work abroad. In some countries these opportunities will contribute to the Department for International Development's (DFID) overall target to deliver value for money savings in administration costs. Progress towards this target is set out in DFID's Autumn Performance Report and Departmental Report. These documents are available in the Library of the House and on the DFID website:
	www.dfid.gov.uk

Departmental Marketing

Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much has been spent by his Department on advertising in weekly and regional newspapers in the last five years.

Michael Foster: The majority of the Department for International Development's (DFID) advertising expenditure relates to recruitment advertising. The breakdown of expenditure on advertising in weekly and regional newspapers in the last five financial years is as follows:
	
		
			   
			   Weekly publications  Regional newspapers 
			 2004-05 6,139 91,458 
			 2005-06 7,330 84,547 
			 2006-07 2,303 26,658 
			 2007-08 7,779 9,314 
			 2008-09 Nil 28,505 
			 Total 23,551 240,033

Departmental Public Appointments

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which of the public appointments for which his Department is responsible are due to be  (a) renewed and  (b) filled in the next 24 months; what the (i) remit, (ii) salary, (iii) political restriction, (iv) eligibility requirement and (v) timetable for each appointment is; and what records his Department keeps in respect of such appointments.

Michael Foster: Information on appointments made by the Department will be published in its annual report which will be available on its website in due course. Vacancies may be advertised on the Cabinet Office Public Appointments website at:
	www.publicappointments.gov.uk
	The process for making a public appointment, including guidance on political activity and eligibility criteria, follows the Cabinet Office publication Making and Managing Public Appointments. For appointments regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments, the appointments process also complies with the Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies. Copies are in the Libraries of the House.

Departmental Recruitment

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department paid to  (a) recruitment agencies and  (b) recruitment consultants in each of the last three financial years for which figures are available.

Michael Foster: The Department for International Development only uses recruitment agencies to provide temporary staff. Since 2005 we have predominantly used three agencies.
	The following table shows the total costs paid in the last three financial years to the three suppliers.
	
		
			  Financial year  Total amount paid  () 
			 2005-06 1,226,530 
			 2006-07 1,113,890 
			 2007-08 (1)857,156 
			 (1) This total includes executive agency costs in the support of the recruitment of DFID's Permanent Secretary and two Non-Executive Directors. 
		
	
	Individual departments within DFID also have delegated authority to appoint professional and specialist staff from specialist suppliers and recruitment consultants, but details of this expenditure are not held centrally.
	In accordance with the civil service recruitment code, all DFID permanent appointments are made on merit and on the basis of fair and open competition.

Palestinians: International Assistance

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the extent to which UN humanitarian aid can be delivered to Gaza without hindrance.

Michael Foster: Although the Israeli Government announced on 25 March that all humanitarian food items would be allowed into Gaza, this has not yet been implemented. Inconsistent clearance criteria and thorough checks at crossings continue to cause delays.
	The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to be of serious concern. The UK Government monitor UN reporting closely and consistently lobby for unrestricted access for food and other humanitarian supplies into Gaza. We are funding the UN Logistics Cluster and the UN Access Support Team to help UN agencies and NGOs get aid into Gaza. The UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) provides up to date reports on the humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, including on delivery of aid into Gaza. These are available on its website:
	http://www.ochaopt.org/

Palestinians: International Assistance

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of levels of access to Gaza for humanitarian aid and reconstruction material; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Foster: The United Nations (UN) has recently reported that the difficulty in importing concrete and construction materials continues to hinder efforts to rebuild homes and essential infrastructure destroyed during the conflict. Meaningful reconstruction will not be possible while restrictions remain in place. The UN estimate the lack of spare parts for public infrastructure and industrial equipment, along with restrictions on the entry of cash and fuel, is preventing the implementation of almost all planned early recovery activities. They also report that procedures for approved humanitarian items into Gaza remain subject to unclear and often inconsistent criteria. The UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) makes regular reports of the humanitarian situation in Gaza available on its website:
	http://www.ochaopt.org/

Sri Lanka: Overseas Aid

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial support his Department has given to the government of Sri Lanka for the construction and maintenance of resettlement camps for Tamil refugees in northern Sri Lanka in the last 12 months.

Michael Foster: The UK Government have given no financial support to the Government of Sri Lanka.
	Since September 2008 the Department for International Development (DFID) has allocated 12.5 million of humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka. Of this, approximately 6.5 million has been used to support resettlement camp work through impartial international agencies such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
	6 million remains to respond rapidly to needs on the ground as they evolve.

St. Helena: Aviation

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the effects of not building an airport on St. Helena on the island's population.

Michael Foster: Demographic studies, carried out as part of the 2005 Feasibility Study, suggest that in the absence of air access, the population of St. Helena will decline by around 1.5 per cent. a year.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when he plans to reply to question 263970 on departmental recruitment tabled by the hon. Member for Cotswold on 11 March 2009.

Michael Foster: A response to parliamentary question 263970 has been issued.

Zimbabwe: Politics and Government

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the humanitarian situation in respect of Zimbabwean refugees living in Zimbabwe and neighbouring countries.

Ivan Lewis: Zimbabwe's social and economic decline has forced many Zimbabweans to leave the country during the last few years. The vast majority of those leaving do so by irregular means and do not request refugee status. They are viewed by neighbouring governments as illegal economic migrants and run the risk of deportation. It is therefore difficult to assess their numbers or provide assistance. Since 2000, oppressive policies and post-election violence have also seen hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans forcibly displaced within the country. However the Government of Zimbabwe deny the existence of internally displaced people and have thus refused a comprehensive national assessment of their numbers and needs.
	In Zimbabwe, the Department for International Development (DFID) is the second largest donor to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), providing 5 million to deliver humanitarian assistance to 250,000 Zimbabwean deportees from South Africa and 30,000 from Botswana, at key border crossing points, as well as over 240,000 victims of forced internal displacement. The UK also provides further support to Zimbabwean migrants, including street children, in Zambia and South Africa. DFID will provide around 49 million of humanitarian and other essential support to the people of Zimbabwe this financial year, none of which goes through the Government of Zimbabwe.

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Cabinet: Glasgow

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Minister of State for Business, Innovation, and Skills how many  (a) special advisers and  (b) officials of his Department accompanied him to Glasgow for the Cabinet meeting on 16 April 2009.

Si�n Simon: The information is as follows:
	 (a) No special advisers accompanied the Secretary of State or Lord Drayson to Glasgow when they attended the Cabinet meeting there on 16 April 2009.
	 (b) One official accompanied each Minister on their visit to Scotland to attend Cabinet in Glasgow on 16 April 2009making two Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills officials in total.
	For information relating to the Cabinet and public engagement event held in Glasgow on 16 April I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on Wednesday 3 June 2009,  Official Report, column 487W.

Cabinet: Glasgow

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Minister of State for Business, Innovation, and Skills what car journeys he undertook in attending the Cabinet meeting in Glasgow on 16 April 2009.

Si�n Simon: The then Secretary of State travelled from his London home to London City airport. On arrival, the then Secretary of State travelled by car from Glasgow airport to the regional Cabinet meeting. Following the Cabinet meeting, the Secretary of State went by car to visit the University of Strathclyde before returning to Glasgow airport. He flew back from Glasgow to Southampton airport and travelled to his constituency home.
	Lord Drayson travelled to Bristol airport from his home to fly to Glasgow. He was driven from Glasgow airport to the University of Glasgow before journeying to the Cabinet meeting. Once the Cabinet meeting had finished, Lord Drayson travelled to Glasgow airport for his return flight to Bristol airportfrom there he travelled home.
	For information relating to the Cabinet and public engagement event held in Glasgow on 16 April I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on Wednesday 3 June 2009,  Official Report, column 487W.

Companies House: Standards

John Penrose: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the performance of Companies House in achieving its targets in 2008-09.

Ian Pearson: A report on Companies House's performance is laid before Parliament each year before the summer recess. The report for 2008-09 will be laid on 16 July 2009.

Conditions of Employment

Theresa May: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what his latest estimate is of the number of people who have a statutory right to request flexible working as a result of having been employed continuously for 26 weeks or more.

Patrick McFadden: The impact assessment produced in 2007 when the right to request flexible working was extended to carers of adults estimated that 2.65 million carers would be eligible.
	The impact assessment published in March 2009 to accompany the Government response to the recent consultation on implementing the recommendations of the Walsh Review estimated that an additional 4.5 million parents would be eligible to request flexible working under the extended legislation. The impact assessment also estimated that 3.5 million parents were already eligible under the existing legislation. The total number of parents who have the statutory right to request flexible working is around 8 million.
	Overall more than 10 million employees have the statutory right to request flexible working.

Departmental Contracts

Mark Hoban: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many contracts his Department has held with  (a) UBS,  (b) Barclays Capital,  (c) Goldman Sachs,  (d) Morgan Stanley,  (e) Credit Suisse,  (f) Merrill Lynch and  (g) Lehman Brothers in the financial year 2008-09; what the monetary value was of each such contract; and for what purposes each contract was awarded.

Patrick McFadden: The Shareholder Executive engaged UBS on three separate assignmentsthe sale of British Energy, the sale of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority's sites and to advise the Shareholder Executive on the process for finding suitable partners for Royal Mail. These assignments were covered by two separate contracts, the values of which are commercially confidential on an individual basis but with the total value up to 15 million depending on success factors.
	The Department also spent 135,175 with Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Ltd in financial year 2008-09. These relate to salary costs for the secondment of Philip Remnant as Chairman of the Shareholder Executive.
	The Department does not currently have any contracts with Barclays Capital, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch and Lehman Brothers and has not made any payments to them in 2008-09.

Departmental Manpower

David Evennett: To ask the Minister of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many officials work in the  (a) Further Education,  (b) Higher Education and  (c) Business and Skills division of his Department's Universities and Skills Directorate.

Si�n Simon: As of 31 March 2009, 457 officials work in the Department's Further Education and Skills and Higher Education Groups. This figure is taken from the TRENT payroll system.
	Further Education and Skills Group (FESG): 310
	Higher Education Group: 147.
	This includes 13 staff working in the Joint Apprenticeship Unit, which reports to both DCSF and DIUS.
	These two Groups are currently restructuring to become the Universities and Skills Group with a separate Directorate whose work will be to set up the new Skills Funding Agency. Adult Skills Directorate, which was part of FESG will be moving to join the new Business Innovation Group.
	The staffing for the new groups is being finalised, until it is we cannot give final information on staff numbers.

Departmental Stationery

Bob Spink: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of office supplies purchased by his Department were recycled products in the latest period for which figures are available.

Patrick McFadden: In the 12-month period up to 30 April 2009, 78.5 per cent. of all office supplies purchased by the then Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform were considered sustainable and annotated as such by our supplier.

Export Credit Guarantees

Adrian Bailey: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the effect of the reduction or removal of trade credit insurance on the exports of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 13 May 2009
	The Government are aware of the problems that some businesses are facing in getting access to short-term export finance. ECGD is consulting on a new facility to support UK exporters by sharing risk with banks that confirm letters of credit for UK exporters. The Export Credits Guarantee Department is also considering other potential interventions in the short-term market.

Graduates: Science

David Willetts: To ask the Minister of State for Business, Innovation, and Skills how many and what proportion of postgraduate students studying  (a) science,  (b) technology,  (c) engineering and  (d) mathematics subjects took their first degree in the UK in (i) the period 1979 to 1984 and (ii) the latest period for which figures are available.

David Lammy: Figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) show in the 2007/08 academic year 73,150 postgraduate enrolments listed their highest qualification on entry to their science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) postgraduate course as a first degree from a UK institution. This represents 41 per cent. of all STEM postgraduate enrolments whose highest qualification on entry is known. Equivalent figures for 1976 to 1980 are not available.
	It is important to note that students who entered their STEM postgraduate course with a qualification higher than a first degree (i.e. those who already held a postgraduate qualification) will not be included in the above figures. A number of these students may have obtained a first degree from a UK institution.

Higher Education: Plymouth

Linda Gilroy: To ask the Minister of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many students resident in Plymouth, Sutton were in higher education in  (a) 1997 and  (b) the latest date for which information is available.

David Lammy: The latest available information is shown in the following table. Figures for the 2008-09 academic year will be available in January 2010.
	
		
			  Enrolments( 1)  from Plymouth Sutton parliamentary constituency( 2)  UK higher education institutionsAcademic years 1997-98 and 2007-08 
			  Academic year  Enrolments 
			 1997-98 2,405 
			 2007-08 3,710 
			 (1) Covers undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled on full-time and part-time courses. (2) Parliamentary constituency is defined by full and valid home postcodes recorded on the HESA student record.  Note: Figures are on a snapshot basis as at 1 December and are rounded to the nearest five.  Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

Insolvency: Greater London

Iain Duncan Smith: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many businesses in  (a) Chingford and  (b) Woodford Green have entered administration in the last 12 months.

Patrick McFadden: There were 4,820 administrations (Enterprise Act 2002) in England and Wales in 2008. Statistics covering business administrations are not currently available on a regional basis within England and Wales.

Metals: Prices

Adam Holloway: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the effect of recent reductions in scrap metal prices on the scrap metal industry and employment levels in that industry.

Ian Pearson: The recent fall in scrap metal prices is a global issue brought about by a sharp reduction in world metals demand and production, which has fed through to the entire supply chain for this sector including raw materials such as scrap metal. Official employment statistics do not identify numbers employed in the scrap metals industry, although the data do show that employment in basic metals production fell by 14.7 per cent. between January 2005 and February 2009.

Minimum Wage

Lynne Jones: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills when he plans to announce the outcome of his Department's consultation on proposals to amend national minimum wage regulations in order to end the practice of tips being counted towards payment of the national minimum wage.

Patrick McFadden: The outcome of our consultation on tips and the national minimum wage was issued on 6 May 2009. Copies are available in the Libraries of the House and from BERR's website:
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file51166.pdf.

Newsagents: Closures

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions the Secretary of State has had with ministerial colleagues on the effect of closures of local newsagents on local communities.

Ian Pearson: My noble Friend the Secretary of State and BIS Ministers meet regularly and discuss a wide range of issues.

Professional Bodies

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  how many complaints have been made against each recognised professional body in each of the last three years; and in how many such cases his Department and its predecessor intervened;
	(2)  how many individuals are licensed by each recognised professional body.

Ian Pearson: The Department sometimes receives complaints about accounting firms and professional bodies. In these cases we refer the complainant to the relevant professional body or to the Professional Oversight Board as appropriate. The information on the numbers of complaints received by the Professional Oversight Board is contained in its Annual Report to my noble Friend the Secretary of State, on pages 23 and 47. This is published on the website of the Financial Reporting Council
	http://www.frc.org.uk/.
	The information about the number of complaints in which the Department intervened is not held centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	With regards to the question as to how many individuals are licensed by each recognised professional body, the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform does not hold this information. The Director of the Professional Oversight Board of the Financial Reporting Council has informed us that he wrote to my hon. Friend on this matter on 19 March 2009.

Regulation

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will introduce legislation to replace the recognised professional bodies with a single statutory regulator.

Ian Pearson: The Government have no plans to replace the existing professional bodies. In 2002 Parliament set up the current regime, which gives the Financial Reporting Council and its operating bodies oversight over the recognised professional bodies. This is kept under review by the Government, but the Government have no evidence that this system is not working well.

Risk and Regulation Advisory Council: Expenditure

John Penrose: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what expenditure under which budgetary headings the Risk and Regulation Advisory Council incurred on  (a) forum events,  (b) research,  (c) publishing and  (d) public relations in 2008-09; and what sums under which budgetary headings the Council budgeted for (i) secretarial and (ii) administrative costs in that year.

Ian Pearson: The Risk and Regulation Advisory Council (RRAC) support team is co-located with the Operational Research Unit in the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, and they have operated from mid-financial year 2008-09 as a single unit for accounting purposes. The following figures are the most detailed currently available for the combined unit, and should be considered estimates prior to the publication of BERR final accounts for 2008-09.
	Public Relations and Marketing: 114,000which includes forum events, publishing and public relations.
	Research: 125,000 (b) research.
	I also refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 2 April 2009,  Official Report, column 1448W.

Students: Employment

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Minister of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has made a recent estimate of the proportion of students in further education who supplement their student loans with a part-time job.

David Lammy: The Student Income and Expenditure Survey 2007/8, published on the 21 April 2009, is a comprehensive study of student income, expenditure, borrowing and debt. It showed that 53 per cent. of all English domiciled full-time undergraduate students undertook paid work at some time during the academic yeareither during term-time, during the short vacations or both. For those undertaking such work, earnings over the academic year were on average 4,005 (after tax).

JUSTICE

Climate Change

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps his Department has taken to adapt to climate change in the last two years.

Michael Wills: All Departments are actively involved in the cross-Government Adapting to Climate Change Programme, which aims to help society adapt to climate change. The role of the programme is to develop and provide a comprehensive evidence base including adaptation tools, to raise awareness of the need to adapt, to measure success and to work across Government at all levels to embed adaptation. Further details about the programme's work can be found at:
	www.defra.gov/adaptation
	The steps the Ministry of Justice has taken to adapt to climate change in the last two years are publicised on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs website:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/adapt/programme/moj.htm

Climate Change

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of his Department's potential gross  (a) costs and  (b) savings arising from its climate change adaptation measures in the next three years.

Michael Wills: The Ministry of Justice is not yet at the stage where it can provide information on what estimate has been made of potential gross costs  (a) savings and  (b) arising from its climate change adaptation measures in the next three years.
	It has, however, been shown in the Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change that timely and well-targeted climate adaptation measures will yield benefits in excess of their costs. The main rationale for investment to address climate risk will be to reduce the UK's vulnerability to longer-term climate change impacts.
	The Government are undertaking a Climate Change Risk Assessment and Economic Analysis, which will provide estimates of the costs and benefits of adaptation to the UK. This analysis will be presented to Parliament within three years of the Climate Change Act 2008 coming in to force.

Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008

Philip Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many  (a) charges and  (b) prosecutions there have been under the provisions of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 of retailers suspected of selling tobacco to those aged under 18 years.

Maria Eagle: New retailer sanctions under the provisions of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 for the persistent sale of tobacco products to young people under the age of 18 years came into force on 1 April 2009.
	Court proceedings data for 2009 will be available in the autumn of 2010.

Departmental Foreign Workers

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people employed by his Department are Republic of Ireland nationals.

Michael Wills: Information on the nationality of Ministry of Justice staff (including public sector Prison Service and National Offender Management Service Headquarters staff) is not held centrally and could be collected only at disproportionate cost.
	The Ministry of Justice's application packs contain information about nationality requirements and documentary evidence is rigorously checked at interview stage. At point of employment the Ministry of Justice ensures that the correct security checks and clearances are made.

Departmental Older Workers

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many members of staff aged over  (a) 55 and  (b) 65 years his Department employs.

Michael Wills: On 30 April 2009 the Ministry of Justice employed  (a) 14,314 staff over 55 years of age and  (b) 801 staff over 65 years of age.

Fines

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what percentage of fines issued for  (a) shoplifting,  (b) parking offences and  (c) alcohol-related offences were paid (i) at the first opportunity and (ii) after a court appearance in the last 12 months.

Jack Straw: Information held by the Ministry of Justice for the number of Penalty Notices for Disorder (PND) issued to persons aged 16 and over for the offence of Theft (retail under 200), and for alcohol related offences in England and Wales in 2007 that were paid (i) at the earliest opportunity within the 21 day suspended enforcement period is shown in the table. 21 days is the minimum period before which forces can register a fine against the recipient for not responding to a notice, so forces can accept payments after the SEP for administrative purposes. It is not possible to identify the payment rate of fines arising from unpaid PNDs separately from other court-imposed fines. However, the latest enforcement rate for all fines including those from unpaid PNDs, is 85.2 per cent. for the period April to December 2008.
	Information on the number of persons who requested a court appearance after being issued with a PND has been provided in the table. It is not possible from the information collected centrally to provide details on the outcomes of these cases.
	PND data for 2008 will be available in the autumn of 2009.
	Certain motoring offences, including parking offences where not de-criminalised, can be dealt with by the offer of a fixed penalty. Information reported to the Home Office on outcomes of fixed penalty notices (FPNs) are not broken down by offence, therefore data on payment rates for FPNs for parking offences are not available.
	
		
			  Number of penalty notices for disorder (PND) issued to offenders aged 16 and over for selected offences and outcome England and Wales 2007( 1) 
			  Offence  Number issued  Paid in full within 21 days  Percentage  Court hearing requested  Percentage 
			  Shoplifting  
			 Theft (retail under 200)(3) 45,146 15,390 34 172 0 
			   
			  Alcohol related offences  
			 Drunk and disorderly(2) 46,996 19,727 42 244 1 
			 Sale of alcohol to drunken person(5) 81 50 62 3 4 
			 Supply of alcohol to a person under 18 54 31 57 1 2 
			 Sale of alcohol to a person under 18(3) 3,583 2,623 73 13 0 
			 Purchasing alcohol for a person under 18(3) 555 244 44 4 1 
			 Purchasing alcohol for a person under 18 for consumption on the premises 64 23 36   
			 Delivery of alcohol to a person under 18 or allowing such delivery(3) 431 219 51 1 0 
			 Drunk in a highway 2,066 942 46 8 0 
			 Consumption of alcohol in a designated public place 1,544 259 17 6 0 
			 Consumption of alcohol by a person under 18 on relevant premises(3) 85 55 65   
			 Allowing consumption of alcohol by a person under 18 on relevant premises(3) 11 8 73   
			 Buying or Attempting to buy alcohol by a person under 18(5) 158 85 54   
			   
			 Alcohol related offences total 55,628 24,266 44 280 1 
			 (1) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (2) Offence moved from the lower tier (50) to the upper tier (80) on 1 November 2004. (3) Offence added with effect from 1 November 2004. (4) Offence added with effect from 11 October 2004. (5) Offence added with effect from 4 April 2005.  Source: Evidence and Analysis UnitOffice for Criminal Justice Reform, Ministry of Justice

Internet: Advertising

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent representations he has received on the data sharing implications of Phorm.

Michael Wills: The Ministry of Justice has recently received a number of representations on the data sharing implications of Phorm. Those representations tended to focus on issues surrounding privacy and consent regarding the Phorm Trial.
	The Information Commissioner's Office is the independent regulator with responsibility for ensuring compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998. Representations have also been made to the Information Commissioner about the data sharing implications of Phorm and he has noted his intention to keep the matter under review.

Land Registry: Complaints

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many complaints about the way in which a land registration decision had been reached were investigated by the Office of the Independent Complaints Reviewer in each of the last three years.

Michael Wills: The figures set out in the following table show the number of complaint reviews completed and the number of separate allegations investigated that were considered in the reviews. The 2008-09 annual report has not been finalised.
	
		
			   Number of complaints  Number of allegations investigated 
			 2005-06 16 75 
			 2006-07 24 121 
			 2007-08 22 98

Lindholme Prison

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners at Lindholme Prison share a cell designed for two cellmates with at least two others in each of the last three years.

Jack Straw: Information provided by the prison shows that at Lindholme Prison no cell designed for two occupants has been used to hold more than two occupants in the last three years.

National Offender Management Information System

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice who each Senior Responsible Owner of the C-NOMIS is; and on what date each was appointed.

Jack Straw: There have been three Senior Responsible Owners of the C-NOMIS Project and its successor, the NOMIS Programme. Their names and dates of appointment are as follows:
	Christine Knott (SRO C-NOMIS Project)June 2004;
	Roger Hill (SRO C-NOMIS Project/NOMIS Programme)April 2007;
	Ann Beasley (SRO NOMIS Programme)April 2008.

National Offender Management Service

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what the cost of recruitment of Directors of Offender Management in the National Offender Management Service has been to date;
	(2)  whether all the vacancies in the National Offender Management Service for Directors of Offender Management have been filled;
	(3)  what estimate he has made of the cost to the National Offender Management Service of employing each of its Directors of Offender Management in 2009-10.

Jack Straw: The recruitment costs for the directors of Offender Management (DOM) in the National Offender Management Service is 168,000 as of 4 June 2009.
	Nine of the 10 vacancies for DOM have been filled. The remaining vacancy, the north-east, is currently being covered by an interim appointment.
	The director of Offender Management role has been evaluated, in all cases, to be senior civil servant (SCS) pay band 2. The salaries paid will be commensurate with this pay band and are expected to be in the region of 80,000 to 120,000. The exact salaries of the directors will be different because the roles vary in scale and this will be recognised accordingly.
	The savings generated from the regional restructuring in the National Offender Management Service, which includes the creation and appointment of directors of Offender Management will result in a cost base reduction of 10 million.

National Offender Management Service

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what expenditure his Department has incurred on the National Offender Management Service in each year since the service was established.

Jack Straw: The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) became part of the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) when it was formed in May 2007. Before then it was part of the Home Office.
	The NOMS agency unaudited resource and capital expenditure outturn for the financial year 2009-09 is: resource 4,452 million and capital 550 million. The final audited figures will be included in the MOJ annual departmental report and accounts that will be published in due course.
	The agency's predecessor was announced in January 2004. The resource and capital expenditure outturn figures for each financial year are shown as follows.
	
		
			   million 
			  Financial  y ear  Resource  Capital 
			 2007-08 4,722 577 
			 2006-07 4,358 400 
			 2005-06 4,034 354 
			 2004-05 3,680 403 
		
	
	Figures for 2004-05 to 2006-07 have been taken from the Ministry of Justice departmental report 2007-08. Figures for 2007-08 have been taken from the Ministry of Justice annual accounts 2007-08.
	The figures for 2008-09 will not be directly comparable with those for previous years as a result of the reorganisation of the service and the establishment of the new NOMS Agency, and the transfer of strategic functions to the newly formed Criminal Justice Group in the MOJ, from April 2008.

National Offender Management Service: Ethnic Groups

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much time the National Offender Management Service spent recording ethnic monitoring data in  (a) 2006,  (b) 2007,  (c) 2008 and  (d) 2009.

Jack Straw: The information requested is not collected centrally. An accurate calculation of time spent recording and collating ethnic monitoring data would involve calculations across a number of processes and functions in prisons, young offender institutions and probations areas locally and at a regional and national level. Gathering this information would be at disproportionate cost.

Prison Accommodation

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 1 June 2009,  Official Report, columns 80-81W, on prison accommodation, if he will publish  (a) the original list of sites provided by the Ministry of Defence in 2006,  (b) the refined list produced by the National Offender Management Service and  (c) a list of the sites which were subsequently visited and assessed in further detail.

Jack Straw: The following shows the list of sites included on the Ministry of Defence (MOD) disposal list, issued in March 2006(1). A number of options relating to sites under consideration for disposal by the MOD but not included on the disposals lists were also discussed.
	A short list of former military sites with potential for prison development was subsequently identified. This included 18 sites on the March 2006 MOD disposal list, indicated in the table, as well as Chelsea Barracks, RAF West Drayton, Rowcroft Barracks and RAF Coltishall.
	DCSA Inskip, Preston(2)
	RAF Church Fenton, Tadcaster(2)
	Uniter Rawcliffe, Goole
	ATE Caerwent
	Croughton highway land, Brackley
	RAF Stoke Holy Cross, Poringland
	RAF Syerston(2)
	RAF Watton(2)
	TAC Worcester(2)
	RAF Kinloss
	Peterhead SFA
	Vauxhall Barracks, Didcot(2)
	Upnor Bridging Hard, Frindsbury
	Kent Volunteer Estate, Maidstone
	Wandsworth Volunteer Estate, Balham
	Cambridge Military Hospital, Aldershot
	Aldershot Garrison(2)
	Browning Barracks, Aldershot
	Normandy Barracks Montgomery Lines, Aldershot
	Invicta Park Barracks, Maidstone
	RAF High Wycombe(2)
	Parsons Barracks, Aldershot
	Thornhill Barracks, Aldershot
	Ordnance Barracks, Aldershot
	HMS Daedalus, Gosport and Fareham(2)
	RNMT Portsmouth
	DMC Plymouth
	HMS Nelson, Portsmouth
	DMC Bullpoint, Plymouth
	Commando Training Centre, Honiton
	Bovington Camp, Wareham
	RAF Lyneham
	Wyke Regis Training Area, Weymouth
	GPSS Goostrey, Holmes Chapel
	Anzio Barracks, Leek(2)
	HMS Forest Moor, Harrogate(2)
	RAF Boulmer
	RAE Llanbedr
	RAF West Raynham(2)
	DPA Seismic Stations, Norfolk
	RAF Newton(2)
	Arbroath SFA
	Cultybraggan Trg Camp, Crieff
	Rathfriland
	Killymeal Hse, Dungannon
	Aughnacloy
	Clogher
	Kinmel Park, Kinmel
	RAF Neatishead
	Dreghorn Bks, Edinburgh
	RAF Alconbury(2)
	Lisnaskea
	Shetland Islands SFA, Haroldswick
	RAF Halton, Wendover(2)
	RAF Brize Norton, Bicester(2)
	DMC Dean Hill, West Dean(2)
	DLO Pixash Lane, Bristol
	Wainscott Barracks
	Drummond Barracks, Ludgershall
	RNAD Broughton Moor
	DERA Eskmeals, Millom
	Eskmeals, Millom
	Hillside Crescent, Ashton under Lyne
	RAF Tuddenham
	Aberdeen SFA
	Forres SFA
	Kinloss SFA
	Lossiemouth SFA
	DE West Freugh, Portpatrick
	Helensburgh SFA, Rhu
	HMNB Clyde, Rosneath
	DE Farnborough, Aldershot
	Rochester
	RAF Fire Service Central Training Establishment, Ramsgate
	Seaton Barracks, Plymouth
	GPSS Swanvale, Falmouth
	RAF St. Mawgan, Newquay
	Ashchurch SFA, Tewkesbury
	Salisbury SFA, Wilton
	DE Durrington, Salisbury
	Devizes SFA
	RAF Chilmark, Salisbury(2)
	DE Durrington, Salisbury
	(1) Where more than one site within an establishment is listed for disposal, only the establishment is shown
	(2) Sites assessed as potential for prison development
	A number of former military sites were visited by the National Offender Management Service officials since 2006 to assess further their potential for prison development. These are listed as follows and include Rousillon Barracks, previously used for prison use, and Connaught Barracks.
	RAF Alconbury;
	Aldershot Garrison;
	Anzio Barracks;
	RAF Coltishall;
	Connaught Barracks;
	Rousillon Barracks.
	A proposal to convert Connaught Barracks to a prison was considered but a decision was taken not to proceed.
	In response to Lord Carter's report, Securing the Future: Proposals for the Efficient and Sustainable Use of Custody in England and Wales, in January 2008 Ministers agreed to the acquisition of the former RAF Coltishall site in Norfolk for conversion to a prison.
	With the exception of Coltishall, there are no current plans to build new prisons on any of these former military sites.

Prison Accommodation

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many cells are not in use in each  (a) prison for adult males,  (b) prison for adult females,  (c) young offender institution for males and  (d) young offender institution for females; and for what reasons the cells are not in use in each such institution.

David Hanson: From the current data available there are 1,729 places recorded as out of use from the total certified normal accommodation (CNA) of the prison estate. This represents 2.3 per cent. of the total CNA.
	The data available do not allow for a breakdown of whether these places are for young offenders or adults.
	Comprehensive information on why these places are out of use is not held centrally, however the majority of out of use accommodation will be due to maintenance or refurbishment work taking place.
	There is a planned programme of refurbishment of accommodation which requires the temporary closure of prison places. This allows the critical maintenance of the estate to be undertaken while having no significant change on the number of net places in use, e.g. 127 places are currently out of use at HMP Swaleside to enable essential electrical re-wiring of one wing to take place.
	The following tables show the total number of places that were recorded as out of use by male and female establishments.
	HMP Ashwell has 415 places out of use following an incident in April. HMP Wealstun has 380 places out of use while part of the establishment is re-rolled to closed conditions.
	
		
			  Male establishments 
			  Establishment name  Number of places out of use  Percentage of CNA 
			 Ashfield 7 1.7 
			 Ashwell 415 69.3 
			 Bedford 3 0.9 
			 Buckley Hall 4 1.1 
			 Camp Hill 1 0.2 
			 Channings Wood 2 0.3 
			 Cookham Wood 31 21.4 
			 Dartmoor 20 3.2 
			 Dorchester 8 5.5 
			 Elmley 18 2.4 
			 Full Sutton 8 1.3 
			 Grendon 59 23.3 
			 Highpoint 14 1.5 
			 Hindley 84 14.0 
			 Kingston 24 12.1 
			 Lincoln 12 2.7 
			 Liverpool 20 1.7 
			 Norwich 5 1.1 
			 Pentonville 100 11.0 
			 Portland 20 3.3 
			 Ranby 25 2.6 
			 Risley 2 0.2 
			 Rochester 107 14.7 
			 Shrewsbury 7 3.8 
			 Spring Hill 1 0.3 
			 Standford Hill 2 0.4 
			 Stoke Heath 72 11.4 
			 Swaleside 127 13.6 
			 Swansea 18 7.3 
			 Wealstun 380 42.9 
			 Whatton 3 0.4 
			 Whitemoor 28 5.7 
			 Woodhill 5 0.8 
		
	
	
		
			  Female establishments 
			  Establishment  Number of places out of use  Percentage of CNA 
			 Askham Grange 24 16.0 
			 East Sutton Park 3 3.1 
			 Foston Hall 19 6.7 
			 Holloway 33 6.2 
			 Low Newton 16 5.1 
			 Styal 2 0.4

Prisoners

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners had been reassessed and recategorised into a different security level to that of their current prison on 1 March 2009 and were awaiting transfer and unable to be moved; and for how long each had been awaiting transfer.

David Hanson: This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost as it would involve contacting every prison who would then have to consult individual prisoner records.
	There has been no relaxation of security categorisation standards.
	Public protection remains paramount when undertaking the categorisation process.

Prisons

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the  (a) infrastructural and physical and  (b) security criteria are for buildings that are to be designated (i) category C and (ii) category D prisons.

Jack Straw: Category A, B. C and D refers to the regime by which prisoners are managed, not the prison. All prisons, apart from open (Category D) prisons, are built to common standard, with certain modifications where additional security requirements are required and appropriate to the category of prisoner housed there.
	Category C are prisoners who cannot be trusted in open conditions but who do not have the resources and will to make a determined escape attempt. The security in prisons holding these prisoners will include a secure fence/wall in accommodation blocks.
	Category D are prisoners who present a low risk, can reasonably be trusted in open conditions and for whom open conditions are appropriate. There are currently no direct build standards for Category D conditions.

Prisons: Military Bases

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many disused military sites have been acquired and converted into category  (a) A,  (b) B,  (c) C and  (d) D prisons in each of the last 30 years.

Jack Straw: A total of 39 new prisons, including the prison ship the Weare which has since closed, have opened since 1979.
	A number of these were built on sites either directly acquired from the Ministry of Defence (MOD), or acquired from a third partly but which previously belonged to the MOD.
	A detailed investigation of the site records is necessary to determine their precise origin. I will write to the hon. and learned Member as soon as this investigation is complete.

Probation Officers

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps his Department is taking to ensure that trainee probation officers due to qualify in September 2009 are offered jobs in the Probation Service.

David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent estimate he has made of  (a) the number of trainee probation officers who will qualify in 2009 and  (b) the number of jobs available to newly qualified probation officers in 2009.

David Hanson: There are 556 trainee probation officers (TPOs) due to complete the Diploma in Probation Studies in September 2009. A recent survey of the 42 probation areas, who are the employers, has shown that it is too soon to be certain how many of these graduates will be offered jobs in the Probation Service.
	The regional directors of Offender Management have been asked to review the position of their local Probation Boards and Trusts to ensure that decisions about TPO employment are based on credible workforce plans that take full account of the staffing requirements of the next three years within the region and elsewhere in the country.

Probation: Expenditure

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what expenditure his Department and its predecessor incurred on the Probation Service in each year since 2000.

Jack Straw: Expenditure on probation services is as follows:
	
		
			   million 
			   Resource  Capital 
			 2000-01 539 16 
			 2001-02 596 39 
			 2002-03 660 17 
			 2003-04 768 20 
			 2004-05 768 28 
			 2005-06 906 4 
			 2006-07 920 5 
			 2007-08 976 15 
		
	
	Information for 2008-09 is not yet available. The financial data include probation boards, the National Probation Directorate and (from 2004-05) the National Offender Management Service. Comparisons over a long period are difficult due to machinery of government changes and accounting methodology changes.

Probation: North Yorkshire

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what the  (a) community and  (b) custody caseload was for North Yorkshire Probation Area on 31 March of each of the last five financial years;
	(2)  how many cases were referred to multi-agency public protection panels in North Yorkshire Probation Area in each of the last five financial years.

David Hanson: The total community and pre-release custodial offender caseload for North Yorkshire as at 31 March in each of the last five years was as follows:
	
		
			   Supervised in community  Supervised in custody 
			 2004 1,451 544 
			 2005 1,562 527 
			 2006 1,767 541 
			 2007 1,805 582 
			 2008 1,717 551 
		
	
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.
	The following table shows the total number of multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) eligible offenders living in the community in North Yorkshire. The table also shows the number of eligible offenders who were managed at the higher MAPPA levels and who were considered by multi-agency public protection panels. Cases are referred to level 2 where the ongoing involvement of several agencies will be required to implement or monitor the risk management plan and to level 3 where more senior oversight is additionally required. The data are taken from North Yorkshire's MAPPA annual report.
	
		
			  North Yorkshire 
			   2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Total MAPPA eligible offenders 425 507 490 605 632 
			 Level 2 (1) 91 81 192 192 
			 Level 3 27 18 17 21 21 
			 (1 )Not collected. 
		
	
	The doubling of level 2 cases from 2006 to 2007 reflects a change in the way North Yorkshire approached identifying category 3 cases and not a doubling of complex cases at that time.
	There has been a 70 per cent. increase in probation funding in real terms over the last 10 years and an increase of more than a third in staff. The Probation Service continues to cut reoffending rates, increase successful drug treatments and offending behaviour programmes, and carry out visible and punitive community payback.

Probation: Staffordshire

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what the  (a) community and  (b) custody caseload for Staffordshire probation area was on 31 March in each of the last five financial years;
	(2)  how many cases the Staffordshire probation area referred to multi-agency public protection panels in each of the last five financial years;
	(3)  how many offenders in Staffordshire probation area were categorised as Tier 4 in each of the last five financial years.

David Hanson: The total community and pre-release custodial offender caseload for Staffordshire as at 31 March in each of the last five years was as follows:
	
		
			   Supervised in community  Supervised in custody 
			 2004 2,834 931 
			 2005 2,839 914 
			 2006 3,009 969 
			 2007 3,227 982 
			 2008 3,224 1,058 
		
	
	The total number of offenders in Staffordshire who were categorised as Tier 4 as at 31 March in each of the last three years was as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			 2006 522 
			 2007 752 
			 2008 825 
		
	
	Information on tier prior to 1 April 2005 was not recorded.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.
	The following table shows the total number of multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) eligible offenders living in the community in Staffordshire. The table also shows the number of eligible offenders who were managed at the higher MAPPA levels and who were considered by multi-agency public protection panels. Cases are referred to level 2 where the ongoing involvement of several agencies will be required to implement or monitor the risk management plan and to level 3 where more senior oversight is additionally required. Cases can be referred by any agency but the identity of the referring agency is not recorded. This data is taken from Staffordshire's MAPPA annual report.
	
		
			  Staffordshire 
			   2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Total MAPPA eligible offenders 652 722 798 841 920 
			 Level 2 (1) 298 277 295 283 
			 Level 3 48 43 33 46 37 
			 (1 )Not collected. 
		
	
	There has been a 70 per cent. increase in probation funding in real terms over the last 10 years and an increase of more than a third in staff. The Probation Service continues to cut reoffending rates, increase successful drug treatments and offending behaviour programmes, and carry out visible and punitive community payback.

Referral Orders

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many young people are subject to referral orders;
	(2)  how many referral orders have been made in the last six months.

David Hanson: The referral order is the primary community sentence for under 18s. It is available for under 18s appearing in court for the first time who plead guilty. Legislation implemented on 27 April has extended the availability of the referral order so that a referral order may now be made on second conviction where the offender pleads guilty and has not previously had a referral order. Also, in exceptional circumstances, on the recommendation of the youth offending team, a second referral order may be made where the offender pleads guilty.
	Under a referral order the young offender is referred to a youth offender panel consisting of two volunteers from the community advised by a member from the youth offending team (YOT). The young offender is required to attend the panel with their parent/s and must agree a contract which includes reparation or restoration to the victim, or the wider community if there is no direct victim or the victim does not wish to be directly involved, and a programme of interventions and activities to address their offending behaviour. A referral order can be made for a maximum period of 12 months.
	The most recent information on the number of referral orders made is for 2007. In this year a total of 29,090 referral orders were made. Court proceedings data are not yet available for 2008 or 2009.

Regional Offender Managers

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many offender managers were in post in the Prison Service in each of the last three years.

Jack Straw: Offender managers are national probation service staff who are probation officers, senior practitioners, senior probation officers and professional development assessors.
	The latest available data, which are from 31 December 2007, show that there were 508 staff carrying out these roles in Prison Service establishments. Information relating to the two more recent years is subject to a validation exercise and is not yet available.

Restorative Justice

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of his Department's high-visibility community payback schemes;
	(2)  what research his Department has undertaken in connection with the high-visibility community payback scheme.

David Hanson: Probation areas have been required to promote the unpaid work community sentence as Community Payback since 2005. This has been done in a variety of ways including the use of signs at Community Payback work sites and on vehicles. In addition probation areas have also worked to generate local and national publicity in order to increase public awareness of the millions of hours worked by offenders to make reparation for the crimes and to improve local communities. To further increase visibility and public confidence the use of distinctive clothing, to be worn by offenders sentenced to Community Payback, was introduced on 1 December 2008. This followed the review, 'Engaging Communities in Fighting Crime', which proposed that community payback should be made increasingly visible. A survey of members of the public conducted as part of the review found that:
	90 per cent. agreed that all punishments for crime should involve some payback to the community;
	77 per cent. agreed that people should be informed about when and where the work would be carried out; and
	a strong majority wanted work under community sentencing to be made more visible.
	The number of hours worked by offenders and the number of Community Payback work projects on which high visibility clothing is worn is recorded by the National Offender Management Service and in March over 400,000 hours of Community Payback were undertaken by offenders wearing the distinctive clothing.
	Community Payback has featured in the recent 'Justice Seen, Justice Done' campaign where the public were able to have their say on work offenders carry out in 54 local authority areas. The Community Payback work projects nominated will be announced in the near future. Further work will also be undertaken to determine the level of public awareness of Community Payback.

Restorative Justice

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people have served on high-visibility community payback schemes in the last six months.

David Hanson: The use of high-visibility clothing by offenders undertaking community payback was introduced on 1 December 2008. Implementation of this policy has been monitored by the National Offender Management Service (NOMS). The overwhelming majority of the offenders comply with this requirement. The number of hours worked by offenders and the number of community payback work projects on which high visibility clothing is worn are recorded by NOMS. Data are available for the period December 2008 to March 2009 and are shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of community payback projects operated and number of hours worked using high-visibility clothing 
			   Number of projects  Hours worked 
			 December 2,566 210,974 
			 January 2,538 321,853 
			 February 2,422 326,618 
			 March 2,938 401,680

West Midlands Probation Service

Rob Marris: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the total  (a) community and  (b) custody caseload has been of West Midlands Probation Service on 31 March in each year since 2004.

David Hanson: The total community and pre-release custodial offender caseload for West Midlands as at 31 March in each of the last five years was as follows:
	
		
			   2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 Supervised in community 12,872 12,966 12,892 13,550 13,530 
			 Supervised in custody 5,907 5,992 6,202 6,182 6,142 
		
	
	Total probation staffing (expressed as full time equivalents) was up from 13,968 in 1997 to 20,869 by June 2007, a 49 per cent. increase over the period.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

West Midlands Probation Service: Finance

Rob Marris: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what proportion of the budget of West Midlands Probation Service has been spent on management and administration in each year since 2004-05.

David Hanson: The proportion of the west midlands probation budget spent on management and administration is:
	
		
			   Percentage 
			 2004-05 17.8 
			 2005-06 18.8 
			 2006-07 15.6 
			 2007-08 14.5 
			 2008-09 16.6

West Midlands Probation Service: Manpower

Rob Marris: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many  (a) qualified probation officers and  (b) probation service officers have been employed by West Midlands Probation Service on 31 March in each year since 2004.

David Hanson: The following table shows the numbers of probation officers and probation service officers in post in the west midlands probation area on 31 March in each year since 2004:
	
		
			   Probation officers( 1)  Probation service officers 
			 2003-04 407 215 
			 2004-05 446 327 
			 2005-06 482 384 
			 2006-07 499 411 
			 2007-08(2) 473 388 
			 (1) Probation officer figures include senior probation officers, senior practitioners and probation officers.  (2) The information provided has yet to be published and may therefore be subject to minor amendment upon publication.   Notes:  1. Figures are shown as full-time equivalents.  2. Figures for the year 2008-09 are not yet available.

Young Offenders: Crime Prevention

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much the Youth Justice Board allocated to programmes aimed at reducing re-offending in each year since 1999.

Jack Straw: Local authorities' youth offending teams are responsible for providing and commissioning local programmes aimed at reducing reoffending. Funding for youth offending teams comes from a variety of agencies, such as the police, probation and social services. The following table shows the amount of funding that the Youth Justice Board has allocated to youth offending teams in England and Wales since 2000-01 when the teams came into being.
	
		
			million 
			 2000-01 39 
			 2001-02 69 
			 2002-03 100 
			 2003-04 102 
			 2004-05 113 
			 2005-06 115 
			 2006-07 117 
			 2007-08 117 
			 2008-09 115 
		
	
	In addition, programmes to reduce reoffending are run within the secure estate. However, the cost of these is incorporated in the overall cost per bed and it is not possible to identify the expenditure separately.
	The recently published National Statistics on Juvenile Reoffending show that juvenile reoffending is at its lowest since records for the frequency of reoffending began in 2000. This success reflects the Government's investment in the youth justice system and the significant reforms implemented over the past 12 years.

Young Offenders: Crime Prevention

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much his Department has allocated to the Youth Justice Board for preventative programmes in  (a) 2009-10,  (b) 2010-11 and  (c) 2011-12.

Jack Straw: For 2009-10, the Youth Justice Board has allocated 11 million for preventative programmes from its Ministry of Justice grant. In addition, the Youth Justice Board will receive 6 million from the Department of Children, Schools and Families and 18 million from the Home Office for preventative programmes.
	Final budgets for 2010-11 and 2011-12 will be allocated at the beginning of the financial year.